Warning system for pregnant women not implemented in six maternity units

A safety system introduced in maternity wards after Savita Halappanavar's death is not functioning properly in a number of hospitals.

The system alerts staff when a pregnant woman's condition is deteriorating.

An audit carried out by the HSE between May and August last year at seven maternity units showed only one, the Rotunda in Dublin, was operating the system properly.

The Irish Independent reports that the main failing was that staff were not doing repeat observations of the patient in the recommended timeframe and not properly updating charts after checks.

Those where deficiencies were found included University Hospital Galway, where Savita Halappanavar died.

The remaining hospital units where the system was not functioning are: Coombe in Dublin, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cavan General, South Tipperary General and Mullingar Hospital.