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CORONER RAISES QUESTIONS OVER RETROSPECTIVE NOTES IN MEDICAL RECORDS
Cross-examination of consultant obstetrician Dr Katherine Astbury has now concluded.
Day three of the inquest resumed at 2pm where the consultant’s legal representative Eileen Barrington continued her earlier questions.
Eileen Barrington earlier referred to medical council guidelines and a paragraph which she said states that abortion is illegal in Ireland except when there is a real and substantial risk to the mother.
She explained this was on the balance of probability of 51% where there is a risk to the life, as opposed to the health,of the mother.
In this afternoon’s session the coroner raised concern about retrospective notes in medical records.
He asked if it was a good idea to have everybody working in the same document and added that if nurses had their own document , there would be no need to write retrospective notes.
Dr. Astbury said it’s to allow continuity so that you can see what is happening with the patient.
The coroner said it was very difficult to follow and when he asked the consultant could she see a failing, she said ‘yes’.
HSE Senior Counsel for the HSE Declan Buckely said he understands it’s so that all the care is in one book.
The consultant has now concluded her statement evidence.