The Board of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), following a request from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and in accordance with Section 9(1) of the Health Act 2007, will investigate the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the HSE at University Hospital Galway (UHG) to critically ill patients, including critically ill pregnant women as reflected in the care and treatment provided to Savita Halappanavar.

The investigation will assess whether the services provided complied with the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare and national and international evidence of what is known to achieve best outcomes.

The Authority requested, and received, information from University Hospital Galway and the HSE to ascertain the facts about the tragic case of Savita Halappanavar.

Following consideration of this information, the Board of the Authority has made the decision to instigate this investigation.

The terms of reference and membership of the investigation team will be published when finalised.

As with any investigation undertaken by the Authority, and in the interest of a fair and thorough investigation, the Authority does not envisage making any further public comment until the investigation has concluded. The investigation report, and its recommendations, will be published following the completion of the investigation.

Further Information: 

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, Health Information and Quality Authority, 01 814 7481/ 086 244 7623/ mwhelan@hiqa.ie