Four hospitals named in miscarriages misdiagnoses cases

A further three hospitals - in addition to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda - have been named by women who said they were given incorrect diagnoses of miscarriage.

Cases of mistaken miscarriage diagnoses emerged yesterday and today from Mayo General, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Letterkenny General Hospital and two cases involving University Hospital Galway.

Lisa - not her real name - told Highland Radio that her doctor at Letterkenny General Hospital said: "I've done enough of these scans in my time to know when somebody has miscarried" when she and her husband questioned his diagnosis at Letterkenny General Hospital.

She did not opt for a second scan and later found out by chance that her doctor was wrong, and that she was still pregnant. Lisa has since given birth to a healthy baby.

The general HSE information line (1850 241850) received 65 calls today in relation to the issue.

A dedicated freefone helpline has also been set up at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (1800 200 529) for women who were treated at that hospital and who have concerns about this issue.

Women who were seen at hospitals other than Our Lady of Lourdes have been advised to contact their hospital directly, with contact details available from the HSE information line if required (1850 241850).

Despite calls for an investigation into antenatal services, the Health Information and Quality Authority says it has no plans for an inquiry.