HSE review welcome but Minister still has questions to answer on miscarriage misdiagnosis” – Ó Caoláin

Sinn Féin Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has welcomed the Miscarriage Misdiagnosis Review announced today (Friday) by the Health Service Executive. However, he said Health Minister Mary Harney and the HSE still have questions to answer on their handling of this issue.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said:

“I welcome the announcement of the terms of reference and review team for the HSE’s Miscarriage Misdiagnosis Review. This is a cause of huge concern to women and families throughout the country. Women who have had these experiences need to be fully supported. I note that the HSE advises that 240 women have contacted maternity hospitals over an eight-day period.

“I would encourage women to contact the maternity hospitals where they received treatment to ensure they can access the information regarding their treatment.

“It is also welcome that from now on all decisions to use drugs or surgical intervention on women who have had a miscarriage misdiagnosed must be approved by a consultant obstetrician.

“Health Minister Mary Harney and the HSE still have major questions to answer. They have known about this problem at least since August 2009 yet it is only now, in the wake of media coverage, that the review and the change in practice are being put in place. This surely indicates a systems failure and examination of this failure should be added to the review’s terms of reference.”