Second newborn in 3 weeks dies at Cavan hospital

A second baby death is under investigation at Cavan General Hospital after a newborn delivered on Tuesday died yesterday.

The tragedy comes less than three weeks after a baby boy died at the hospital amid reports that an emergency C-section had been delayed. That death is also the subject of an investigation.

It is understood the mother who lost her child this week had developed complications that required obstetric intervention and that she remains in intensive care. A consultant has been put on administrative leave while the investigation is under way.

The tragedies have led to criticism that the findings of a review into a third baby death at the hospital 18 months ago have never been published.

The matter was raised in the Dáil yesterday by the Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who called on Health Minister Dr James Reilly to clarify the whereabouts of the report into the November 2012 death. The baby had been delivered by caesarean and died after being transferred to a neo-natal unit at a Dublin hospital.

Mr Ó Caoláin said families in the hospital’s catchment area, “particularly all expectant mothers and women of childbearing age, are concerned to know what has happened”.

“They want to know why these tragic outcomes occurred. They want to know that the lessons, if there are any, are learned and that the prospects of a further bad outcome are eliminated.”

He had questioned Dr Reilly yesterday morning prior to hearing about the most recent baby death. When he became aware of the latest tragedy he said it was “absolutely scandalous” that the November 2012 review findings and recommendations had not been published.

“Lessons could have been learned and recommendations implemented. In the Savita Halappanavar case, a report was issued within weeks. In Cavan/Monaghan, we are waiting 18 months and there is no sign of it,” said Mr Ó Caoláin.

Tony Fitzpatrick, spokesman for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) in the North East, said it was imperative that reports were published in a timely manner where there were adverse incidents.

“Especially for something as traumatic as losing a child. It’s devastating for the family and for the staff. It is absolutely necessary that investigations are conducted in a timely fashion and that lessons are learned to ensure what went wrong doesn’t happen again,” he said.

The delay in publishing the report in relation to the November 2012 baby death “demonstrated a lack of urgency on the part of the Health Service Executive”, said Mr Fitzpatrick.

The HSE said the final report of an external review committee set up to investigate the circumstances of the November 2012 death was expected “within the next four weeks”.

The review was carried out by a team from the National Maternity Hospital. Mr Ó Caoláin said he understood the review team’s report was still in draft form. He has called for it to be published.

Dr Reilly said his department, in conjunction with the HSE, will develop a new national maternity strategy this year.

“This will provide the strategic direction for the optimal development of our maternity services to ensure that women have access to safe, high-quality maternity care in a setting most appropriate to their needs,” he said.