Another delay for HSE probe into death

The HSE investigation team examining the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar is unlikely to be revealed until Monday due to last-minute changes and discussions.

The HSE confirmed last night that details of the vital inquiry group — which will include an independent external expert and was initially due to be announced on Wednesday — have been delayed again.

It is understood this is because of issues involving the time some proposed group members can give to the investigation, and the fact that Ms Halappanavar’s family in India must be consulted on its terms of reference.

A HSE spokeswoman said the independent “international expert” has been identified, while the team will “involve a number of experts in the relevant disciplines” related to Ms Halappanavar’s death.

“Once the inquiry team has convened it will then finalise the terms of reference for the inquiry. This finalising of the terms of reference will be expeditious.

“It is expected the full team membership and final terms of reference will be made public in a matter of days,” the spokeswoman said, adding that the team “will engage with Ms Halappanavar’s next of kin as part of this process”.

The latest delay came as Galway Pro Choice and the Irish Patients Association insisted the inquiry must be fully transparent and involve more than one independent official. With confusion reigning over whether the independent expert will head up the investigation or be one of a number of group members, the IPA said patient representatives must be added to the panel for public confidence to be guaranteed.

Galway Pro Choice went further, describing the current presence of “only one” independent official on the investigation team as “intolerable”.

“We cannot expect Galway University Hospital or the HSE to be truly objective in this situation and to reach independent conclusions,” spokeswoman Sarah McCarthy said.

“Therefore, we are calling for a fully independent public inquiry, to be commissioned immediately.”

The group has also called for the expert report on abortion, which is set to go before Cabinet on Nov 27, to be made public now.

“There is no good reason not to share this information with the public,” said Ms McCarthy.

Sinn Féin last night confirmed it will seek a vote on making the expert report public immediately through a private members’ bill in the Dáil next week.

State watchdog Hiqa is also expecting responses from Galway University Hospital and the HSE by the middle of next week on what actions are being taken to ensure high standards of care for pregnant women.