Health authorities have apologized to the family of a 35-year-old woman who died after giving birth at University Hospital Kerry (UHK), reports RTE.
The apology was issued at the start of a new investigation into the death of Zimbabwean-born Tatenda Mukwata by senior defence lawyer John Lucy.
The mother-of-three lived in an urgent care centre in Kenmare, Co. Kerry.
She died hours after giving birth to her fourth daughter, Eva, by caesarean section.
A pathologist said on the day the inquest opened in August that Ms Mukwata died of haemorrhage and shock, reports RTE.
Mr Lucy today read a letter of apology signed by General Manager Mary Fitzgerald on behalf of UHK “”for the failings of care afforded to Tatenda at this hospital on 20th and 21st April 2022”.
“We fully accept that these failings should not have happened, and that earlier intervention would probably have prevented Tatenda’s death. An external review of the matter is nearing completion and as a hospital we will endeavour to ensure lessons are learned. We are deeply sorry that you have suffered the tragic loss of Tatenda. We wish to apologise to you unreservedly and offer our heartfelt condolences. We acknowledge the grief, stress, trauma, and suffering that you and your family continue to endure as a result of Tatenda’s death for which we are truly sorry,” reports RTE.
Dr O’Mahony said in response: “Albeit it comes very late in the day for the family,” he said referring to the fact that the apology issued to the family on 22 September came 17 months later. It is our belief that matters were entirely clear from the time of the post mortem that she had bled to death in Kerry University Hospital,” reports RTE.
“This was a death that ought never have happened,” he added, reports RTE.
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