CHAIRMAN OF HSE INQUIRY TEAM SEEKS FACE TO FACE MEETING WITH SAVITAS HUSBAND

Date Published: 20-Nov-2012

The Chairman of the HSE team looking into the death of Savita Halappanavar at University Hospital Galway has asked to meet her husband face to face.

Sabaratnam Arulkumaran wants to discuss Praveen Halappanavar’s concerns about the inclusion of 3 doctors from University Hospital Galway on the inquiry team.

The HSE says it’s taking Mr Halappanavar’s concerns extremely seriously, and is continuing to examine the make up of the investigation team.

Earlier Fianna Fáil warned that the inquiry is ‘dead in the water’ without Praveen’s co-operation.

But Mr Arulkumaran says the inclusion of the UHG doctors is neccessary in order to compare guidelines.

Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath says this inquiry needs to be more independent.

Meanwhile, Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy has defended the writing of a letter to the Taoiseach Enda Kenny calling on the government to introduce legislation to allow abortion in cases where the mother’s life is in danger.

The letter refers to the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar whose death – Mr Murphy says – highlights the need for immediate action to introduce legislation for abortion in Ireland.

So far over fifty MEPs have signed the letter in support.

But the Labour MEP Phil Prendergast criticised the letter saying the MEPs are jumping to conclusions about Savita’s death.

She says she does not believe Savita lost her life because clinicians wouldn’t terminate her pregnancy for religious or legal reasons.

However, Paul Murphy says MEPs are appalled by what happened to the young woman