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Two hospitals called on for aid in Thawley case

Malak Thawley died in theatre at the National Maternity Hospital on 8 May
Malak Thawley died in theatre at the National Maternity Hospital on 8 May

Two major Dublin hospitals were asked to assist with the management of Malak Thawley, who died in theatre on 8 May, at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street.

It has been confirmed that St James's and the Mater Hospital were contacted by Holles Street medical staff for help, after Mrs Thawley underwent emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy.

The two hospitals were not identified by name in the internal Holles Street investigation but have now been named in correspondence, on behalf of Holles Street, after queries were raised in the last week by Caoimhe Haughey, solicitor for the Thawley family.

A cardiac surgeon attached to St Vincent's was in St James's when contacted by St Vincent's to help with the case.

The doctor concerned has provided a statement to the coroner who is examining the case.

This was the only involvement of St James's in the management of the case.

Telephone contact was also made by Holles Street with the Mater about the suitability of using ECMO - extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the case.

The Mater had no other involvement.

The inquest into Ms Thawley's death resumes on Monday, however the full hearing is not expected to take place for some time.

The internal Holles Street investigation report, revealed by RTÉ News last week, found that there was a delay in spotting a tear of a main artery which occurred during surgery and in managing the problem.

It found that at one stage around 17 staff were involved in Mrs Thawley's  care around the time of the emergency surgery.