Delay key factor in baby’s death

A delay in carrying out a caesarean section is understood to have been a key component in the death of a newborn baby boy at Cavan General Hospital.

The Irish Examiner understands that the theatre was in use when a C-section was requested for the woman on Saturday, April 26.

Sources close to the hospital said that the theatre was being used to perform an appendectomy on a child and by the time it was available to the woman, a “crash” section had been called.

A “crash” C-section is a caesarean performed in an obstetric emergency, following sudden onset of pregnancy complications during labour, and swift action is required to prevent the deaths of mother and/or child.

A baby boy was delivered shortly after the woman was brought to theatre but attempts to resuscitate him were ultimately unsuccessful.

Yesterday, the Health Service Executive confirmed that a “clinical incident” had occurred on the date in question “in which a baby sadly died”.

The HSE said its incident management policy was being followed and a “full and thorough” investigation was underway into the tragic event.

The HSE said the hospital “extends it’s deepest sympathy to the family” and that hospital management had met with the family and would continue to keep them informed “of the ongoing management of the incident investigation”.

It is understood that the woman who gave birth is in her 30s and is from near the Cavan/Leitrim border. It is understood the baby who died was not her first child.

The Irish Examiner also understands that a consultant at Cavan General has been placed on administrative leave since the incident. It has been reported that no adverse findings have been made against the doctor involved.

The HSE also said that the family involved has requested privacy at this time.

One source at the hospital said there were “a lot of very upset staff” and questions were being asked about the delay in carrying out a C-section.