Unequivocal apology from HSE after deaths of babies

The HSE has apologised “unequivocally” for “serious shortcomings” in the deaths of four babies in six years at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

An investigation by RTÉ’s Prime Time programme into the deaths of the babies raised serious questions over their treatment. Babies were alive at the onset of labour but died either during the labour or within seven days of birth.

Medical probes carried out into the deaths identified failures in the care provided by the hospital, including not acting upon the fact the babies were in foetal distress.