34-year-old Amy Delahunt from Borrisoleigh was speaking after a 2 day inquest returned a verdict of medical misadventure in the death of her daughter Mary Kate on the 28th of May 2013.
Several expert witnesses told the inquest that Mary Kate would have born alive had she been delivered when her mother presented at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise on the 21st of May 2013.
Despite a CTG scan indicating problems with the baby the registrar told Amy there was nothing to worry about and discharged her. The following day a scan at the then Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick confirmed the baby had died.
The jury returned a verdict of medical misadventure, and issued eleven recommendations including that doctors and midwives should have clear written instructions and training on escalation of care to consultant level and the HSE should adhere to adequate staffing levels in all Hospitals.
Barrister for the hospital Conor Halpin offered the sincerest condolences to Amy Delahunt and her partner Ollie Kelly on behalf of the management and staff at Portlaoise Hospital.
Ollie Kelly hopes there will never be a repeat of what happened but is not convinced the HSE has learned any lessons.
