HSE apologises for care shortcomings

The HSE has apologised in the High Court for the shortcomings in care provided to a mother who had sued over the alleged mismanagement of her pregnancy and the death of her baby son at Wexford General Hospital.

The apology was read out in court as part of the settlement of an action brought by Mignon Underwood whose baby son Conor died and was a stillborn birth on September 25, 2012.

Counsel Eileen Barrington read out a letter signed by a HSE general manager which on behalf of the HSE, Wexford General Hospital and all the staff involved in the mother and baby’s care expressed “their sincere and unreserved apologies for the shortcomings in the care provided for you and your baby in September 2012”.

It said valuable lessons have been learned by the hospital and staff arising from the events and it extended its deepest sympathies to the Underwood family and acknowledged “the distress and trauma caused by the failures in our care”.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told the case had been settled and could be struck out. Ms Underwood, 42, of Carne, Co Wexford, had sued the HSE claiming the death of baby Conor and the injuries suffered by his mother was caused by the alleged negligence of the HSE and a failure to diagnose pre-eclampsia on a timely basis.

It was further claimed that Ms Underwood suffered from pre-eclampsia and displayed the history and or the symptoms and signs of pre eclampsia and there was an alleged failure to discern those symptoms and diagnose pre-eclampsia.

In court, Mr Justice Cross extended his sympathy to the Underwood family on the death of baby Conor.