HSE Issues Apology to Couple Over Misdiagnosis of Baby’s Condition

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has formally apologized to a couple who were wrongfully advised that their unborn child had a fatal foetal abnormality, leading them to make a heartbreaking decision. In a statement, HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster expressed an “unequivocal” apology on behalf of the organization to Rebecca Price and Pat Kiely, who underwent a termination after receiving a misdiagnosis at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin.

In June 2021, the couple settled their High Court action after the hospital, the Merrion Fetal Health Clinic, and a Glasgow laboratory admitted full liability for the misdiagnosis of Trisomy 18, a chromosomal condition commonly associated with Edwards Syndrome. This condition significantly affects a baby’s chances of survival, with many infants not surviving beyond birth.

Mr. Gloster met with the couple recently and reiterated the HSE’s commitment to addressing the profound loss they experienced with the death of their son, Christopher. “Nobody can undo the harm,” he acknowledged, but emphasized the importance of documenting their experience and the HSE’s acknowledgment of the tragedy. He announced his intention to initiate an independent external review of the case to fully understand the circumstances surrounding their care.

The couple expressed their joy at expecting their first child on Christmas Eve 2018. However, their experience took a tragic turn just weeks later. After a normal ultrasound at 12 weeks, a non-invasive prenatal test indicated positive results for Trisomy 18. Following the initial diagnosis, a second ultrasound scan showed no abnormalities, yet they were advised to undergo further testing through chorionic villus sampling.

During a consultation in March 2019, Ms. Price was wrongly informed by her consultant that her pregnancy was non-viable due to the alleged fatal condition. Acting on this advice, the couple made the heartbreaking decision to terminate the pregnancy three days later. Subsequent testing revealed that their baby did not have Trisomy 18, resulting in devastating consequences for the couple.

In a statement outside the High Court in 2021, their solicitor, Caoimhe Haughey, emphasized that the couple would have only considered termination if there were no chances for their child’s survival. Following the ordeal, Mr. Kiely remarked in an interview that they had become “different people” as a result of the traumatic experience. Ms. Price added that if their son Christopher’s legacy could help prevent similar failures in the future, it would provide some measure of solace.

As the HSE moves forward with the independent review, the couple hopes that lessons learned from their experience will contribute to improved practices in prenatal care. The case has drawn significant attention to the importance of accurate prenatal diagnostics and the profound impact misdiagnoses can have on families.