Varadkar says no special investigation needed into baby death at cavan general

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has said today that a full inquiry by HIQA into maternity services at Cavan General Hospital is not warranted, after the shocking news that a baby died there yesterday.

A HSE inquiry, however, will examine the deaths of four babies who died at the hospital over a 30-month period.

Minister Varadkar spoke ahead of his visit at Portlaoise Hospital this afternoon. He is attending the Portlaoise hospital in relation to investigations into the deaths of eight babies and is is also meeting with the bereaved parents later this evening.

He said that the baby who died at Cavan yesterday was delivered by Caesarean Section.

“It’s very uncommon, in fact, and that’s why an individualised investigation will be required for this case,” he said.

“What HIQA’s been asked to do is to include Cavan in their regular monitoring exercise of maternity care units, and they are going to do that.

“I don’t think, at this stage, a specific investigation into Cavan is warranted until we actually have more information on these cases.”

HIQA says it did not launch its own independent inquiry into newborn deaths at Cavan hospital, despite public calls last May by former Health Minister James Reilly.

A spokesman for the watchdog said no formal request was made by Government.

“We were not asked to,” the spokesman said.

Earlier today, Taoiseach Enda Kenny admitted that there are “inadequacies” in the country's system of maternity services.

The Taoiseach and other political leaders have expressed sympathy with the Cavan family of the baby that died yesterday.