Minister must prioritise cavan general baby deaths says td after latest tragedy

A local deputy has stressed that there are 'real concerns' across Cavan and Monaghan after the latest tragic death of a new born baby. 

Cavan General Hospital has confirmed that a new-born baby died in the maternity department of the hospital yesterday (Tuesday), May 12. The HSE has already issued a statement saying that a full review of the circumstances surrounding the death will be carried out. It's understood that the baby died yesterday after it was delivered by C-section and that the latest family affected are from County Cavan.

This is the fourth such baby death at the hospital since November 2012.

Sinn Féin health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD noted that two and a half years since that tragedy, 'we do not yet have the full facts, the full truth'.

Deputy Ó Caoláin expressed his sympathies to the parents and family of this latest tragedy.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most upsetting time and also with those other families who experienced such personal tragedies across the state.

“While we do not know the full facts in relation to this most recent incident, nevertheless I must reflect the real concerns that exist across the dependent catchment of Cavan and Monaghan and the adjoining counties. I must do so most especially because no report or set of recommendations has been published into any of the previous three incidents, including that of the death baby of Jamie Flynn in November 2012.

“Will it be a full three years before we see a report published into the death of baby Jamie and have an opportunity to examine the findings and recommendations and secure the necessary commitment that these findings and recommendations have been acted upon?

'Full truth'

“Systems failures, under-resourcing, and most importantly the provision of adequate trained staff are all matters raised when these tragic outcomes are discussed. However, we do not yet have the full facts, the full truth. We have no findings.

'We have no recommendations. The Minister must ensure that these cases are addressed as a priority and that the promised reports into previous incidents are published and the recommendations implemented so the dependent public can have full confidence restored in the maternity services at Cavan General.”