HSE hides identity of staff who suggested change to abortion document

The Health Service Executive has refused to identify staff who suggested changes to an abortion-related document, citing fears for their safety.

An official said to identify people who suggested alterations to a document dealing with management of cases of fatal foetal anomalies might endanger their safety.

In a note explaining the decision to redact the identity of the authors of two emails discussing the issue, the HSE’s freedom of information decision-maker stated: “I am informed that there are precedents where colleagues have been pursued in an inappropriate fashion.” She said it was “recognised to be an emotive and difficult area, arousing strong feelings on all sides”.

The replacement of the phrase "fatal fetal [sic] anomaly" with "life limiting fetal anomaly" in a document published by the HSE last July was criticised by groups representing Irish women who have gone to the UK to terminate their pregnancies after receiving a prognosis that their baby would not live after birth.

In internal emails, one member of a HSE subgroup charged with drawing up national care standards for pregnancy bereavements recommended a change to the way “fatal foetal anomaly” is defined.

Definition issues

The unidentified group member suggests changing the definition from a disorder or malformation that is “incompatible with life” to one that is “known to be life limiting of [sic] have a poor prognosis of life”.

The records show references to “fatal fetal anomaly” in earlier drafts of the standards document were changed to “life-limiting foetal anomalies”.

The freedom of information legislation allows for requests to be refused if access to the record could “reasonably be expected to endanger the life or safety of any person”.

In a statement, a HSE spokeswoman said all terms used in the current glossary were reviewed by the subgroup in conjunction with national and international research and evidence. “Following public consultation, the HSE will be reviewing the glossary of terms to cover issues and terms that the public and health professionals wish to see included,” she said.