Abortion probe reference terms published

The terms of reference for the inquiry into the handling of the care of the woman at the centre of the latest abortion debate have been published.

The Health Service Executive published the terms last night charging a four-person team, led by its patient safety director Dr Philip Crowley, with delivering a report in the shortest period possible.

The inquiry will seek to document the communication that occurred between the different service providers between the time the woman first came to the attention of services when she was eight weeks pregnant. It will establish the chronology and the role of each party.

The HSE said the woman, named only as Ms Y, will be legally represented and this will be paid for by the State.

The inquiry team, which will also included independent consultant Alice O’Flynn, Catriona Molly of Patient Focus and Mick Brophy from the Office of the Ombudsman, will be asked to establish the facts of what happened.

If there are disputes regarding the facts the team have been told to include these.