A woman says her unborn child could have been harmed after a doctor prescribed her medication which should not be taken during pregnancy.

Joanne Larwood, 30, claims a doctor at Queen’s Hospital, in Rom Valley Way, Romford, twice prescribed her Canesten Duo, a thrush medication that contains an oral tablet potentially dangerous for unborn babies.

“The first treatment was dispensed at Queen’s pharmacy on May 25 and I took the tablet on the same day,” she said. “When the thrush didn’t go away I went back to the hospital on June 8 and was given the same treatment.”

This time Joanne, who is six months pregnant, went to Oxlow Chemists, Dagenham, where the pharmacist said she should not be taking the oral tablet if she was expecting.

“He said it could harm my baby,” says Joanne. “It scared me as I had already taken one tablet. I couldn’t believe a doctor could make such a mistake.”

Joanne, of Dagenhm, has since received a letter from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital Trust, that confirmed she should not have been given Canesten Duo.

The letter, seen by the Recorder, says the doctor concerned has been spoken to and a message on the matter has been sent to all staff. The incident will be investigated internally.

The trust, however, has said it has no record of the tablet being prescribed and dispensed on May 25, and says she received only a pessary and cream.

“I know for a fact I was given the tablet and that I took it,” says Joanne. “I’m really angry at the hospital and have lost faith in the medical staff there.

“I have since transferred to King George Hospital, but was there last week to give a urine sample and they gave me a bottle with someone else’s details on. It’s unbelievable.”

A Trust spokesperson said: “We are investigating Miss Larwood’s complaint and apologise if she feels mistakes have been made.

“We are working hard to improve our maternity services and the experience of the women who use them. We take the opinions of our patients seriously and will always act on information that they give us.”