Latest on Holles Street Abortion Case

23.05.2019

The distressed parents who agreed to an abortion at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, after their baby was misdiagnosed with Edward’s syndrome, say the result of a second test, showing their baby was healthy, was not communicated properly to them when they were asked to a meeting with doctors about the findings.

It is alleged that it was only after they left the early April consultation at Holles Street, where the testing and abortion were carried out, that the shocking discovery became clear. The results were contained in an envelope they were given. The full extent of the result became clear after a genetics specialist explained the upsetting finding to them after they had sought his expertise privately.

A consultant in Holles Street wrote to the couple last month admitting problems in the manner in which the second test result was delivered to them. The distraught couple had been told in black and white terms there was no hope for their unborn baby in March. This followed the results of the first test involving chorionic villus sampling (CVS) showing their baby had trisomy 18, known as Edward’s syndrome.

The abortion was carried out by the hospital based on the information from the first test. But the more detailed lab investigation, which was returned after the abortion, later revealed the baby was clear of abnormalities.

The manner in which the results of a second test, showing the unborn baby did not have trisomy 18, was communicated is expected to be part of an external investigation which is to be held into the case.

Asked for a response to the latest claims, a spokesman for the National Maternity Hospital declined to comment.

Irish Independent. May 20.