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A woman signs a book of condolence for Savita Halappanavar in Galway in November. Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
savita

HSE 'disappointed' with leak of draft Savita investigation report

In a statement the HSE said the investigation’s terms of reference required it to observe appropriate confidentiality.

THE HSE has expressed its annoyance that a draft edition of the report of its investigation into the death of Savita Halappanavar in Galway last year has made it into the public arena.

The draft report was obtained by the Evening Herald, and reported on in today’s edition of that newspaper.

The Herald said the draft investigation had found that an abortion should have been considered days before Halappanavar’s death, given that she was miscarrying and her child had no prospect of survival.

It also reportedly finds that a blood infection – thought to have been the key cause of death – had been undiagnosed for days before her death in Galway University Hospital.

“The terms of reference of the Investigation Team, led by independent Chairman Prof Sir Arulkumaran, state that the investigation will be ‘cognisant of the rights of all involved to privacy and confidentiality; dignity and respect; due process; and natural and constitutional justice’,” the HSE said this evening.

“All reports commissioned by the HSE go through a rigorous fact checking and verification process before completion,” it added.

“It would be inappropriate to comment on the contents of media reports, given that a final report has not yet been completed.”

It said the investigation team was still working to produce a “robust” report as soon as possible.

Earlier today health minister James Reilly said he hoped to have the final edition report by next week.

Read: Savita’s husband should get first briefing on HSE report – Taoiseach

More: Leaked Savita death report backs government’s decision to legislate – Rabbitte

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