Courts / Ireland / Report

Couple seek damages after alleged unnecessary termination

Date
2021-03-11

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Summary

In a High Court case set for June, a couple claims they underwent an unnecessary termination after being told their unborn child had a fatal foetal abnormality. They sued the National Maternity Hospital, Merrion Fetal Health, and a Scottish health board that allegedly performed some testing. The defendants deny wrongdoing. The couple alleges that two 2019 test results indicated a fatal abnormality, but a later test after the termination showed no genetic condition. They seek damages for personal injury and nervous shock caused by alleged negligence. The court considered adding the Greater Glasgow Health Board as a defendant, noting that tests were sent to the board for specialist analysis and that the board's report may have failed to meet best‑practice guidelines. The judge approved adding the board as a defendant and set a timetable for document exchange ahead of the June hearing.