The HSE has apologised and acknowledged failings in the standard of care provided to a baby boy who died after his birth at University Maternity Hospital, Limerick.
Baby Pádraig O’Brien O’Donnell, from Newcastlewest, Limerick, died four hours after his birth at the Limerick hospital on 18 June 2022, the High Court heard, reports Breaking News.
A letter of apology was read to the High Court as Pádraig’s parents settled their action exactly four years to the day since their son’s death.
Outside court, Pádraig’s mother Leanne O’Brien said the fact the settlement fell on the anniversary of his passing was not lost on the family, reports Breaking News.
“It is a difficult day made heavier, and yet it feels right that Pádraig is at the centre of it. Everything we have done over these four years, we have done for him,” she said.
She added: “We did not pursue this case for ourselves. We did it for Padraig, and we did it so no other mother, no other father, and no other family has to stand where we are standing now. If even one baby is safer because of what we have done, then his short life will have changed things for the better, that is what we hold on to,” reports Breaking News.
The HSE letter of apology, read to the court, said: “We write to you with profound sorrow and heartfelt regret following the loss of your baby Pádraig. We know that words cannot begin to capture the devastation and grief you are experiencing.”
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Signed by the CEO of Mid West Acute and Older People Services HSE Mid West, Ian Carter, it continued: “I wish to acknowledge without reservation that there were failings in the standard of care provided to you and your baby Pádraig. We take full responsibility for these failings and we are truly sorry,” reports Breaking News.
It added: “We are committed to learning from this incident, and we have reviewed our practices, made changes to our processes, and provided additional training to our staff. Once again, we extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt apology.”
In the High Court on Thursday, the family’s counsel Eugene Gleeson, instructed by Homs Assist, told the court that the case against the HSE over Pádraig’s death had been settled following mediation, reports Breaking News.
Two nervous shock actions brought by Pádraig’s parents, Leanne O’Brien and Patrick O’Donnell, had also been settled, the court heard.
In the proceedings it was claimed that Baby Pádraig had suffered medical complications that ultimately led to his death at the hospital, reports Breaking News.
It was further claimed there had been a delay in carrying out a caesarean section once a decision was made that one was required.
Liability was admitted, reports Breaking News.
Noting the settlement and the division of the €35,000 statutory mental distress payment, Judge Paul Coffey extended his deepest sympathy to Pádraig’s family on what he described as a very sad and tragic case.
Outside court, Leanne O’Brien, alongside Patrick O’Donnell, said: “Four years ago on this very weekend our son Pádraig was born and four years ago on this very weekend we said goodbye to him. He was with us for just a few short hours. But he was and he always will be our son,” reports Breaking News.
She said he was perfect, and that they had held him and baptised him and their families had met him before they had to let him go.
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