asked the Minister for Health if negligent circumstances contributed to the death of a person (name supplied) in County Dublin who died on the 16th April having been discharged on 1st April, 1971, from a Dublin maternity hospital (name supplied).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Death.
17.
I understand that the patient concerned was discharged from the hospital on 4th April, 1971, following a normal confinement. She was seen on eight occasions for ante-natal examination prior to the confinement which was normal in every way. I appreciate the concern which prompted the Deputy to raise a question about the sudden and tragic loss of the mother of a large family but my advice is that it is impossible to foresee the condition which caused death.
No complaint has been made to the hospital, to the Eastern Health Board or to my Department suggesting that there was any negligence in the medical and nursing care of the patient in the maternity hospital.
Is the Minister aware that the hospital authorities are alleged to have been unaware that this woman was giving birth to twins until after the birth of one of these children and that this, if true, is in itself evidence of negligence?
I am not aware that they were unaware of this position. As I said, no complaint has reached me or the Eastern Health Board or the hospital in regard to the tragic circumstances of the death of this patient. I cannot say any more than that.