A MOTHER who feared she was suffering a miscarriage was told she would have to wait four days for an ultrasound scan at Watford General Hospital.

Mrs Janice Byrne, from St Albans, who is 14 weeks pregnant with twins after successful IVF treatment, was terrified when she discovered bleeding late on Friday, May 31, and early the next day.

Worried husband Kevin rushed her to see their GP who recommended an immediate ultrasound scan to check the babies' condition.

As the nearest maternity unit at Hemel Hempstead Hospital closed six weeks ago, the doctor contacted staff at Watford.

He was told no ultrasound scanning machines were switched on and no-one qualified to operate the equipment was available until after the jubilee bank holiday.

The doctor offered to try the QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City and Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

Instead the disillusioned couple contacted the clinic in London where Mrs Byrne's £3,500 IVF treatment was given.

Clinicians at The Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre carried out a scan straight away and free of charge.

To the couple's relief, both babies were given the all-clear.

This is Mrs Byrne's first pregnancy and she is booked in to give birth at Watford General Hospital in December.

The 36-year-old human resources consultant was told birth appointment lists at QEII and Luton and Dunstable hospitals were already full.

She said: "West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust say an ultrasound scan is available any time in an emergency. Is that when I am losing my babies?

"To me this was an emergency there was a possibility I was having a miscarriage.

"We were lucky because I had IVF privately and had another resource to call on but what about couples who don't have that opportunity?

"My doctor was in disbelief at what happened as well.

"The trust must look at the service it is providing. People are losing confidence in it."

The trust denied knowledge of the Byrnes' plight and insisted that ultrasound scans were available out of hours in emergency situations.

A spokesman said: "The trust is always extremely concerned to hear that any patient is unhappy.

"In this case, the trust was not aware of any issues regarding this case.

"Neither a formal or informal complaint has been made."

June 12, 2002 15:30