HSE Issues Apology as High Court Settles Case Over Newborn Transferred to Wrong Mother at Cork University Hospital
Dublin – A High Court case brought against the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Cork University Hospital (CUH) over the mistaken transfer of a newborn to the wrong mother has been formally settled. The case concluded following an unconditional apology issued by the HSE for the error, which occurred nearly four years ago.
The incident involved Catherine Shine, a 39-year-old mother from Kissimmee, Mallow, who gave birth via caesarean section to a baby girl, Hannah Kate, at CUH on September 8, 2021. Ms Shine and her daughter remained at the hospital for three days following the birth. On the eve of her discharge, Hannah Kate was placed in the nursery. The following morning, a different newborn was mistakenly returned to her.
Ms Shine noticed the discrepancy after checking the baby’s identification tag, realising that she had been handed the wrong infant. The mistake was immediately reported and rectified by hospital staff.
In court, Ms Shine’s legal counsel confirmed that CUH and the HSE had accepted full responsibility for the incident and had issued an unconditional apology to the family. The court approved a confidential settlement, and Mr Justice Emily Egan formally concluded the proceedings.
Speaking after the hearing, Ms Shine stated that her motivation in pursuing the case was to ensure such an incident would never happen again and to highlight the importance of safeguarding procedures in maternity care.
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