A woman has settled a High Court legal action against the HSE over being handed the wrong newborn baby at Cork University Hospital (CUH) four years ago.
39-year-old Catherine Shine, from Kiskeam, Mallow in Co Cork, gave birth to a baby girl, Hannah Kate, by emergency caesarean section on 8 September 2021.
Ms Shine and her newborn were kept in hospital for three days, and on the night before they were discharged, Hannah Kate was kept in a nursery.
On 11 September 2021, when Ms Shine asked to be given her newborn, she was handed another person's baby.
Ms Shine had noticed that the baby appeared differently to her own daughter. She checked the name tag which confirmed that she was holding the wrong newborn.
The incident is believed to have only lasted for a short period of time.
Today, the High Court was told by Ms Shine’s counsel that the case had been resolved and that CUH would issue her a formal apology.
Liability was admitted, and Ms Justice Emily Egan noted the settlement, which was confidential.
Following today’s hearing, Ms Shine said it was an upsetting experience and that by taking the action, she wanted to "bring a light" on the incident and so it did not happen to another mother.
She said when she looked at the baby she had been handed, she knew it was not hers.
Ms Shine added that she was glad the case was resolved and that she had received an apology.
