THE HSE HAS revealed that 220 new mothers may have been given anti-D following birth even though they may not have needed it, while 30 more mother may have required it but did not get it.

It was also revealed that 278 babies might have had their blood group reported incorrectly at the time of birth, while 12 more babies may have received red blood cells when they did not need it.

The mix-ups happened when blood group test kits by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson and Johnson company, were found to be incorrectly labelled.

The blunders happened at five hospitals – Cavan, the Rotunda, Sligo, Limerick and Galway.

As part of the response to this, each hospital has completed an inspection of the remaining kits in stock and has removed any potentially affected batches. They have also conducted a review of the results.

Mothers were contacted about the blunder errors on Monday.

The HSE said there were no immediate safety concerns, however, anyone affected can discuss the implications for them directly with their hospital.

Each hospital has in place a dedicated phone-line, which can be obtained by calling the HSE on 1850 24 1850.

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