Hospital says sorry for baby's death

24 Nov 2011, 6:29 pm   -   Source: AAP
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An ultrasound clinician checked three times before the termination because she didn't want to make a mistake. (File: AAP)

An ultrasound clinician checked three times before the termination because she didn't want to make a mistake. (File: AAP)

Two investigations have been launched after a healthy 32-week-old fetus was terminated in a tragic mix-up at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital.

Two investigations are under way in Victoria after a healthy 32-week-old unborn twin was terminated in a tragic hospital mix-up.

The Melbourne hospital has issued a public apology for the devastating error, but authorities are seeking answers from the medical staff so such a horrible mistake can never happen again.

"I am very much determined to get to the bottom of what went wrong," Victorian Health Minister David Davis told reporters on Thursday.

Doctors at the Royal Women's Hospital had advised a woman who was expecting twin boys that one had a congenital heart defect that would require years of operations if he survived at all.

She made the heartbreaking decision to abort, but on Tuesday the wrong baby was injected, terminating the healthy twin.

The mother then underwent an emergency caesarean section and a termination for the other fetus.

In a statement, the hospital confirmed that a "distressing clinical accident occurred", describing the mistake as a terrible tragedy.

"The hospital is deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the patient and her family," the statement said.

"We are conducting a full investigation and continue to offer the family and affected staff every support."

Mr Davis said the hospital's investigation would be overseen by an independent, interstate clinician.

Victoria's Health Services Commissioner Beth Wilson said she did not plan to launching her own investigation at this time.

"I'm not going to initiate anything until I find out what the family themselves want," she told AAP.

"Other people may think they know what is best for the family, but the decision is up to them.

"It's a very, very distressing case for everybody involved."

News of the medical blunder was first reported by the Herald Sun, which had interviewed a family friend.

"She went to the hospital with two babies and now she has none," the friend told the newspaper.

"And she had the heartache of giving birth to her sick baby. She's traumatised."

The ultrasound clinician said she checked three times before the termination because she didn't want to make a mistake, the friend said.

The family expressed outrage that their well-meaning friend had gone to the media and made their grief public against their wishes.

"The significant media attention triggered by this Herald Sun article has added to our stress and has put our privacy at risk at what has been a very difficult time for us," the family said in a statement released through the hospital.

It is unknown how long the hospital's investigation may take.

The Consultative Council on Obstetric and Pediatric Mortality and Morbidity, which does not lay blame but studies such incidents to prevent them from occurring again, will also investigate the case.

Ms Wilson said she believed the investigation procedures in place were adequate, and several services were available to support the family if they chose to use them.

The family also has the option of taking legal action against the hospital.

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