Inquest told vital signs weren't checked in hours before Savita was diagnosed with infection

The inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar has heard that some of her vital signs were not checked in the nine and a half hour period before she was diagnosed with an infection.

The dentist died from septicaemia following a miscarriage at Galway University Hospital on October 28 last.

Today's key witness is the former Master of the National Maternity Hospital, Dr Peter Boylan, who will give expert testimony to Savita Halappanavar's inquest.

The inquiry has heard he has been given a daily transcript of the hearing so far and has made amendments to his report.

On his way in this morning Savita's husband Praveen Halappanavar spoke briefly to reporters. He said: "We are very optimistic and I'm looking forward to the final word."

So far today the inquest has heard from midwife Ann Maria Burke, who was recalled by the coroner, and insists in her evidence she is 100% certain she informed a doctor that Savita had an elevated pulse on the Tuesday evening before her miscarriage.

The house doctor says he was told her vital signs were normal.

It has emerged during his evidence that not all of the 31-year-old's vital signs were checked between 9pm Tuesday and 6.30am the following morning when Savita was diagnosed with an infection of the foetal membranes.