HSE to investigate miscarriage misdiagnoses

The HSE is to carry out a review of cases over the past five years into the issue of miscarriage misdiagnosis.

It is issuing new rules regarding the termination of a pregnancy where the foetus has died following the emergence of a number of cases of misdiagnosis over the past few days.

The women were advised to end the pregnancy but in fact went on to deliver healthy babies.

A special helpline set up by the HSE yesterday to deal with cases specifically at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda received 89 calls - up to 70 of which related to other hospitals around the country

The HSE says it will carry out a five-year review to determine the total number of women affected.

In addition, from now on the decision to use drugs or surgical intervention in women who have had a miscarriage diagnosed must be approved by a consultant obstetrician.

The HSE also said a clinical programme for obstetrics care has been established as part of a major initiative to standardise care in the field.

It is advising concerned women to contact the maternity hospital where they received treatment.