At least 38 baby deaths in nine years after serious incidents in Irish maternity units
At least 38 babies died in the space of nine years after serious incidents in the country’s maternity units, it has emerged.
The total is based on research of both media reports of inquests and settled claims.
Before Christmas, a review by the Irish Examiner revealed 21 hospital baby deaths followed one or more serious incidents, between 2013 and 2021.
However, further study in the same nine-year period shows the toll to be higher. The worst year was 2018, when not only did at least 10 babies die, but three of them died at the same Dublin hospital over a five-month period.
In at least 18 of the 38 deaths, issues around foetal heartbeat monitoring (CTG) were raised either at inquest or in the High Court.
At least 18 of the inquests resulted in a verdict of medical misadventure.
As well as issues around heart monitoring, the Irish Examiner review shows that in at least seven of the 38 cases, maternity staff missed signs that a woman was in labour, leading to repeated recommendations around training.
In at least seven cases, mothers’ concerns were ignored.
Source: Irish Examiner, 29 December 2023