Date Published: 09-Apr-2013

Dr Katherine Astbury has read her statement at the close of day two of the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar.

The consultant detailed her dealings with Ms. Halapannavar from a routine

anti-natal visit to her hospitalisation later in October last year.

The consultant took to the witness box just before 4 this afternoon and began by saying she met Savita for a routine anti-natal visit on October 11th.

She said she was a fit 31 year old in her first pregnancy with a history of back pain.

She noted she was not in the hospital on the date when Savita was admitted on 21st October after presenting for the second time that day – this timewith persistent back pain.

She confirmed her membrane had ruptured when a review was carried out on

the 22nd.

She detailed subsequent reviews where scans confirmed the existence of a

foetal heartbeat.

On one occasion she said Savita was very upset and enquired about the possibility of medication to cause her to miscarry. She advised her that the legal position in Ireland did not allow her to terminate the pregnancy at that stage.

After her condition deteriorated, the consultant received a call and upon review said Savita was sweating and had difficulty breathing.

She then sought a second opinion from a colleague Dr. Geraldine Gaffney at the anti-natal clinic.

Ms. Astbury outlined to her colleague the clinical situation and said Ms Halapannavar needed a termination regardless of the foetal heart.

Her colleague Dr. Geraldine Gaffney agreed and offered to write a medical note to that effect.

She collected the scanner from the clinic and then found that the foetal demise had already occurred.

A spontaneous delivery followed.

She continued to detail the chronology of events from when Savita was taken to the high dependency unit to her eventual death on October 28th.

She said Savita suffered a cardiac arrest and attempts to resuscitate her were not successful.

She concluded by extending her sympathies and condolences to the next of kin.

Earlier Miriam Dunleavy, a staff midwife at UHG gave evidence.

Upon questioning, she said entries were put into Ms Halappanavar’s medical

notes by the hospital’s internal investigation team.

The coroner raised questions as to the appropriateness of this.

Senior Counsel for the HSE Declan Buckley said this is to be checked.