Harney: Ireland is one of the safest places to give birth

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has finally broken her silence on the miscarriage misdiagnosis crisis to claim there is “no doubt” Ireland is one of the safest places in the world to give birth.

Just 24 hours after the senior cabinet member refused to comment on the growing scandal as she believed it was solely a matter for the HSE, the Independent TD was forced to take to the airwaves.

Speaking on Newstalk 106-108fm, Ms Harney said she had every sympathy for the families who lost or almost their baby because incorrect pregnancy scans concluded the foetus had died.

However, despite nationwide concern over the crisis, Ms Harney continued that there should be “no doubt” over the quality of service being provided to expectant mothers.

“I want to express my sympathy and support for the women that have been affected, Melissa Redmond and the other women that have come forward. It clearly was a very traumatic experience for them and their families. Secondly, the truth is that Ireland is one of the safest places in the world to give birth and there’s no doubt about that,” said Ms Harney.

She added: “We want to make sure we don’t worry pregnant women or women who will become pregnant in the future. Ireland is an extremely safe place from a medical point of view to get pregnant and to give birth.”

Ms Harney broke her silence on the issue after dozens of women said they either lost or almost lost a baby after initial ultrasound scans insisted their perfectly healthy foetus was dead.

In some cases the women had been given abortion-inducing drugs or had been scheduled for procedures to remove the foetus.

Due to the growing crisis, the HSE has launched an investigation into all suspected miscarriage misdiagnosis cases over the past five years.

The review will include:

* All cases which were the subject of a formal patient complaint at the time of the incident.

* All cases which have since emerged and have been verified.

* All cases which have since emerged and may or may not have been the subject of a possible miscarriage misdiagnosis.

It is not yet clear who will lead the investigation or when it is expected to be completed.

Approximately 70,000 pregnancies take place in Ireland every year, with an average of 14,000 ending in a miscarriage.