HSE apologises to parents over failings in care of 'longed-for first-born baby' who died in her mother's arms
The HSE has given an unreserved apology to the parents of a baby girl who was born at a Kilkenny hospital and later died for failings in her care at the time of her birth.
Little Ali Dowling Crowe who was brain damaged died in the arms of her mother two weeks after her birth four years ago.
In a letter to Ali's parents Sharon Dowling and Brian Crowe which was read to the High Court the HSE and St Lukes Hospital, Carlow Kilkenny said it would like to "express an unreserved apology to you and your family for the failings in the care afforded to your child Baby Ali in the course of her birth at this hospital on January 17, 2015".
The letter added: "We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family arising from her subsequent death on February 1st, 2015."
The letter was read to the court as Ali's parents settled their action for nervous shock over their daughter's death for €200,000.
Sharon Dowling and her husband Brian Crowe of Glenvale, Ballyraggert, Kilkenny had sued the HSE.
It was claimed Baby Ali suffered brain damage allegedly caused by an acute near total hypoxic-ischemic insult during labour. She was unwell at birth on January 17, 2015 and died on February 1, 2015.
It was claimed that Ali's delivery should have been 20 or 35 mintues earlier than actually happened.
It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to interpret the CTG suitably, sufficiently or at all and thereafter take necessary remedial action.
Both parents said they suffered shock distress and emotional upset and Ali was their first child.
The court was told that there was a partial admission in the case in relation to the CTG trace.
In a statement outside court Ali's parents said as expectant parents four years ago they never imagined that instead of celebrating the birth of their beautiful daughter, they would be arranging her funeral.
"Instead of calling loved ones telling them our much anticipated and longed for firstborn had arrived, we had to impart the devastating news that our baby was dead.
"On that day our lives changed forever and will never be the same again."
They added: "We are broken but we choose to live in hope and we will try to get on with our lives, knowing that Ali is in our hearts, our angel in heaven guiding and protecting her parents and two sisters."
Patrick Treacy SC for the family told the court Ali suffered brain damage from what they said was a near-total deprivation of oxygen at the time of her birth.
Approving the settlement Ms Justice Bronagh O'Hanlon said she was so glad there has been an apology and she said she knew no words from her or compensation can console the parents who have lost their first child. She wished the family all the best for the future.
