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A bed in a hospital maternity unit. (File photo) RollingNews.ie

Mother of newborn baby found dead in Cork maternity hospital

An investigation is underway and the cause of death is currently unknown.

AN INVESTIGATION HAS been launched at a Cork maternity hospital after the mother of a newborn baby was found dead on the floor of her room with her infant underneath her.

The cause of death of the mother, who is in her thirties, is unknown at this juncture.

Staff at Cork University Maternity Hospital checked on her and the baby yesterday morning and they both appeared to be doing well.

When medical staff were doing their rounds an hour later they found the mother lying on the floor with her child.

One of the possibilities being put forward is that the woman fell out of bed while she was breastfeeding the infant. Staff are deeply shocked at the passing of the mother.

The South/South West Hospital Group has confirmed that an investigation is underway following the tragedy.

A spokesperson for the South/ South West Hospital Group said it is policy not to comment on individual cases.

South South West Hospital Group wishes to confirm that an investigation is underway following a tragic occurrence at Cork University Maternity Hospital yesterday morning. Our priority is supporting the patient’s family and therefore we will not be commenting on the individual case at this time.

Cork University Maternity Hospital opened in 2007 and is an amalgamation of maternity services from Erinville, St Finbarr’s and the Bon Secours Hospital.

It is the largest tertiary referral centre in the south of Ireland. It facilitates both day and in patient services including maternity and gynaecology.

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    Mute Euro McPúnty
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    Mar 26th 2019, 12:41 PM

    Wow, this is so sad. This just put what I thought was having a bad day into perspective. Thoughts with the family and baby and the poor father of the child.

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    Mute Michael Burke
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    Mar 26th 2019, 12:49 PM

    Tragic beyond words.

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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Mar 26th 2019, 1:33 PM

    This is seriously one of the most heartbreaking stories i have had the misfortune to read in quite a while, RIP to the young mother, thoughts are with her family and husband, please god the baby is ok, Thoughts are also with the staff at the maternity hospital as i am sure they are in shock at what has happened, especially to the ones in close proximity to the woman who were assigned to her throughout the birth and aftercare.
    heart breakingly sad.

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    Mute Hardly Normal
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    Mar 26th 2019, 12:57 PM

    @Martin Sinnott: probably, but that’s hardly the point is it? It’s unlikely staff would sit next to patients 24hours a day even if they were overstaffed.

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    Mute James Butler
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    Mar 26th 2019, 4:00 PM

    Every patient in hospital should have their vital signs remotely monitored. If there is a problem then an alarm would notify the staff.

    My car sends me a notification when the washer fluid needs to be replaced. Been found dead in a hospital just shouldn’t happen.

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    Mute Mike Daly
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    Mar 26th 2019, 4:28 PM

    @James Butler: In the name of God at a time like this don’t post comments comparing your car with a tragedy like this have a little respect RIP Mum and get well baby

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    Mute Nehppo McG
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    Mar 26th 2019, 5:32 PM

    @Mike Daly: He’s not comparing he’s making a point of how easy it should be to be notified if someone’s vital signs are off.

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    Mute Juniper
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    Mar 26th 2019, 7:22 PM

    @James Butler: Extrapolate how much something like that would cost. Then factor in that our already limited staff would need to be watching these monitors while also providing patient care – havent heard of a way to do 2 things at once yet. Then factor in the possibility of any such device not working, or batteries going dead – or even a disconnect, plus interference from other patients remote monitors – all resulting in an unacceptably high level of false alarms. What about patients who go for a smoke? Are the remote monitors going to work throughout the hospital, or just on the ward…
    Hospitals are difficult enough places to work without introducing ridiculous levels of monitoring that overloads the limited staff with data. The signal to noise ratio would be crazy.

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    Mute PJ Byrne
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    Mar 26th 2019, 9:41 PM

    @Juniper: Jesus Christ, relax the man is trying to offer a solution to this problem, he didn’t ask for a full blown scientific case study.

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    Mute Michael Maher
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    Mar 26th 2019, 9:50 PM

    @Mike Daly: give it a break

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    Mute Mike Daly
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    Mar 26th 2019, 11:18 PM

    @Michael Maher: Michael over 100 agree with me it’s a democracy I am entitled to my option as you are

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    Mute David Scully
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    Mar 26th 2019, 1:10 PM

    Rip

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    Mute Johnny Rotten
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    Mar 26th 2019, 1:02 PM

    @Martin Sinnott: cop on and don’t be jumping to conclusions. Thoughts and prayers with the baby and father.

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    Mute Martin Parke
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    Mar 26th 2019, 12:49 PM

    That’s awful.. so tragic and her wee baby laying underneath her… may she rest in peace..

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    Mute moneymaid
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    Mar 26th 2019, 2:15 PM

    Heartbreaking.
    RIP and condolences to the family.

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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Mar 26th 2019, 2:12 PM

    Terrible terrible tragedy.

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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    Mar 26th 2019, 2:31 PM

    How sad.

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    Mute Annette
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    Mar 26th 2019, 6:39 PM

    Can’t stop thinking of this all day. I had my guys in CUMH and the staff are
    Incredible but so under staffed. RIP lady

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    Mute Chin Feeyin
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    Mar 26th 2019, 1:37 PM

    @Martin Sinnott: grow up, Martin.

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    Mute Tomás Doyle
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    Mar 26th 2019, 7:48 PM

    Photo not needed.

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    Mute Mary Garry
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    Mar 26th 2019, 2:22 PM

    @Martin Sinnott: Sick thoughts

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