Outside experts are being used by the HSE West-Northwest Hospitals Group in the staff disciplinary process at University Hospital Galway investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Savita Halappanavar.

The disciplinary review was initiated last month after the the Group considered the three reports which have to date reviewed the case. These are-the HSE internal review, the HIQA review and the coroners' inquest.

The hospital group said today that external assistance had been sought in the interests of restoring public confidence in the maternity services at the hospital and there will also be independent oversight of the hospital staff review process.

Savita's Husband, Praveen, had already expressed concern that the hospital probe might only be carried out by the hospital itself without external oversight.

The hospital probe will look at the actions of all doctors and nurses who were involved in Mrs Halappanavar's caret in October of last year, and disciplinary action can be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.

The actions of staff involved in Savita's treatment are also likely to be considered by the medical and nursing regulatory bodies.

Savita hospital defends record