Walkout at North Eastern Health Board meeting

Three members of the North Eastern Health Board (NEHB) left a boisterous meeting in protest at a ruling by the chairman that the circumstances surrounding the death of Bronagh Livingstone could not be discussed for legal reasons.

The monthly NEHB meeting also saw the grandfather of the deceased, Mr Jimmy Livingstone, walk out after labelling the meeting a "farce".

Sinn Fein's Cavan-Monaghan TD, Mr Caoimhghin O'Caolain, Independent TD Mr Paudge Connolly and Monaghan Co Council member Mr Hugh Mc Elvaney walked out amid a heated exchange when a request to discuss the baby's death was turned down by the chairman Mr Declan Breathnach.

Mr Paul Robinson, NEHB ceo, told the board all circumstances surrounding the death had been reviewed as part of the Board's Clinical Risk Management programme and that a report has been forwarded to the Minister for Health, Mr Martin.

Explaining why a discussion on the issue was not possible, Mr Robinson said: "I have received legal advice that it would be inappropriate and improper to comment further until the evaluation by the group established by the minister has been concluded and made public."

The minister said yesterday he has forwarded a copy of the health board's report to the independent review team for evaluation.

This team was set up by the minister to consider if there were deficiencies in the protocols for dealing with emergencies at Monaghan Hospital and is chaired by Ms Maureen Lynott, who also heads the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Ms Lynott and the minister have promised to publish a full report by the end of the week. Also on the independent review team are Mr Sean Daly, master of the Coombe, and Ms Bridget Boyd, a clinical midwife at the Coombe.

Mr Martin has rejected suggestions the death was caused by a lack of Government investment in the hospital. He said the baby's mother, Ms Denise Livingstone, had been seen by a senior house doctor at Monaghan before she was transferred at 5.30 a.m. to Cavan General Hospital on December 11th.

Maternity services in Monaghan were suspended in February, 2001, following recommendations from the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.