Sligo hospital issues apology to Sally Rowlette family

Saolta hospital group says services have improved in maternity unit since her death

Sligo Regional Hospital and the Saolta hospital group of which it is a member have apologised to the family of Sally Rowlette, who died in the hospital last year.

In a statement offering their condolences, they said they were apologising “for the events related to her care that contributed to her tragic death”.

Maternity and ICU services in the hospital have improved over the past number of years, according to the statement, and the delivery of quality safe patient care continues to be a priority.

The national maternity early warning score has been implemented for all pregnant women attending the hospital and will help ensure the early detection of any deteriorating patient, it says.

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A post-natal communication process has been established for women with severe Hellp syndrome, an acute form of pre-eclampsia, and all incident reports are analysed as part of a risk management process.

On Wednesday, a jury returned a verdict of death by medical misadventure in the case of Ms Rowlette, who died in February 2013 a day after giving birth to her fourth child. The inquest heard evidence that she was a victim of a “broad systems failure”.

Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen is Health Editor of The Irish Times