The Health Service Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation into the death of a baby born at the Mullingar Hospital in County Westmeath in August.
A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed that an investigation is being conducted into the death of the unnamed baby; who was born on 16th August at the Mullingar Hospital, but who died six days later after being transferred to the neo natal unit of the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin.
Few details have been released about the investigation, although the spokesperson also confirmed that the parents of the child were involved in what the HSE are referring to as an “incident”. The spokesperson said that “The HSE incident policy is being followed and a full and thorough investigation into this tragic event has commenced”.
While few details have been released into the death of the baby born at the Mullingar Hospital, a similar investigation is being conducted at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise – a hospital within the same group – where seven babies are now believed to have suffered a perinatal death due to negligence since 2006.
An initial investigation into the level of care at the Portlaoise Hospital found serious failings in the hospital´s maternity unit and prompted an apology from the Department of Health to the parents who had lost babies. The current investigation is being conducted by the Health and Information Quality Authority (Hiqa) and includes medical experts from both Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The HSE spokesperson added that the hospital extends its sympathy to the family following the death of their baby born at the Mullingar Hospital.