Review group on Savita Halappanavar death to publish report this week

Government spokesman confirms review commissioned by HSE is imminent

Praveen Halappanavar pictured in Galway in November 2012  with a photographe of his wife Savita in the background. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times.
Praveen Halappanavar pictured in Galway in November 2012 with a photographe of his wife Savita in the background. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times.

The report of the review group appointed by the Health Service Executive to investigate the death of Savita Halappanavar is due to be published before the end of the week.

Minister for Health James Reilly and fellow Ministers today held a discussion in relation to the fact that the report will be published soon but no recommendations came before Government for approval, the Government spokesman said at the post-Cabinet briefing.

“There was a brief discussion around the Savita Halappanavar report. It is due for publication in the coming days…before the end of the week,” the spokesman said.

He said the report was an independent report and was not required to come before Cabinet.

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Ms Halappanavar died of septicaemia in her 17th week of pregnancy at University Hospital Galway last October.

The report will incorporate information from Ms Halappanavar’s husband Praveen.

It was finalised by the inquiry team chaired by UK obstetrician Prof Sabaratnam Arulkumaran after he met Gerard O'Donnell, the solicitor representing Mr Halappanavar, last April.

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan is Features Editor of The Irish Times