Statement from Mr Bill Maher, Group Chief Executive, West / North West Hospitals Group

On behalf of University Hospital Galway, I would like to apologise to Mr Halappanavar and family for the events related to his wife’s care that contributed to her tragic death and to offer our sincere sympathies to all concerned.
 
The HIQA report that has been published this afternoon follows on from the coroner’s inquest and the HSE investigation into Mrs Halappanavar’s death.
 
The board and management of the West / North West Hospitals Group are determined to ensure the safety and welfare of all patients attending UHG and the other six hospitals in our newly established Group.
 
Now that this third investigation is complete, a special board meeting next week will consider all of the findings and recommendations and identify what further action needs to be taken.
 
We have already made considerable progress in implementing the recommendations from the HSE investigation and the coroner’s inquest. These include:
the implementation of early warning scoring systems; the education of all staff in the recognition, monitoring and management of sepsis and septic shock; the introduction of a new multi-disciplinary team-based training programme in the management of obstetric emergencies, including sepsis; and improved communications procedures for doctors’ handovers.
 
I am confident that the recommendations from the three investigations will result in changes and improvements in the care of pregnant women.