Health board to discuss Monaghan baby case

The North Eastern Health Board (NEHB) is expected to discuss the case of a woman whose baby died shortly after its mother was…

The North Eastern Health Board (NEHB) is expected to discuss the case of a woman whose baby died shortly after its mother was directed from Monaghan General Hospital to Cavan.

A report from the NEHB on the death of Bronagh Livingstone last week was submitted to the Minister for Health Mr Martin yesterday, and he has forwarded a copy of it to the independent review team for evaluation. The baby's grandfather, Mr Jimmy Livingstone, will attend the NEHB meeting as an observer.

This team was set up by the Minister to consider if there were deficiencies in the protocols for dealing with emergencies at Monaghan Hospital and is chaired by Ms Maureen Lynott, who also heads the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Ms Lynott and the Minister have promised to publish a full report by the end of the week. Also on the independent review team are Mr Sean Daly, master of the Coombe, and Ms Bridget Boyd, a clinical midwife at the Coombe.

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Mr Martin has rejected suggestions the death was caused by a lack of Government investment in the hospital. He said the baby's mother, Ms Denise Livingstone, had been seen by a senior house doctor at Monaghan before she was transferred at 5.30 a.m. to Cavan General Hospital on December 11th.

Maternity services in Monaghan were suspended in February, 2001, following recommendations from the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

David Labanyi

David Labanyi

David Labanyi is the Head of Audience with The Irish Times