A Tandragee mother-of-four, who received an apology from the Southern Trust for “failings” in the care provided to her, has passed away after a brave battle with cancer.
Forty-four-year-old Erin Harbinson previously revealed that the results of three smear tests had been ‘misread’ over the course of a decade.
She was diagnosed with advanced stage cervical cancer in 2021, just two weeks before a major review was ordered into the results of 17,500 smear tests carried out within the Southern Trust.
That review led to the formation of the Ladies with Letters group, which has expressed its sadness at the passing of the courageous young mother.
Erin, who had worked as a classroom assistant, spoke to UTV in April and revealed that doctors had told her that if the abnormal cells had been caught sooner she would not have been in that position.
She told UTV’s Sarah Clarke: “They told me that three of my smears had been missed. One at the very beginning. Okay. You know, maybe he was an experienced man. He could see it.
“But then after that a blind man could have picked it up and that it was a definite case of they should have definitely been reported as positive, but they weren’t. I was handed some forms to seek counselling and I was told that a serious adverse incident would be reported and that was that, I was sent off on my merry way to deal with it.
“It was like my world had just come out from underneath me. The one thing you’re always told when you get a cancer diagnosis is this isn’t your fault.
“Please don’t ever think this is your fault. This is nothing that you’ve ever done. It’s nobody’s fault. Cancer’s just one of them things. And I came out thinking, no, this is somebody’s fault. They did this to me. They’ve killed me, in a way they’ve taken my life away.
“I have a chronic illness that I have to live with for the rest of my days.”
Erin said she was told at the very least she would have ended up with a colposcopy, or perhaps a hysterectomy, but she “would not be sitting in the position you’re in now with advanced cancer”.
“I just felt so let down by the system that I had trusted all my life,” added Erin. “And they just let me down.”
Erin passed away peacefully at her home in Tandragee on Saturday, less than four months after she gave that brave television interview.
She was the beloved wife of Trevor, a devoted mum of Matthew (his partner Lesley-Ann), Liam, Keelan and Connie, a treasured daughter of Edna (her partner Brian) and the late Gerald, also a dear sister of James (his wife Ali).
Tributes began to pour in following news of Erin’s passing.
The Ladies with Letters group, posting on social media, said: “It is with great sadness we have learned that our beautiful friend Erin passed away yesterday afternoon.
“There are no words to describe the wonderful woman Erin was and how she battled her illness with such dignity.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Erin’s husband Trevor, children, Matthew (his partner Lesley-Ann), Liam, Keelan, Connie and family circle.
“Such a privilege to have known you Erin…you will never be forgotten.”
Independent Unionist Councillor and Tandragee businessman Paul Berry said “a very dark cloud” had descended over Tandragee and district following the passing of a “loving wife, mother and friend to so many people”.
He added: “She fought a brave battle and was so courageous. She was a kind, caring and very thoughtful girl who will be missed by so many, young and old.
“The town really has Trevor and whole family in their prayers at this time.”
Ulster Unionist Councillor, Julie Flaherty, said she was “devastated at the loss of this absolute lady”.
She added: “She was a true warrior – a battle hardened campaigner during her hardest days, always for others.
“We will continue the fight Erin.”
Erin’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, at Milne’s Funeral Home in Lurgan, at 11am, with family and friends welcome at Milne’s on Monday night, between 6pm and 8pm.
She will be laid to rest in Lurgan Cemetery.
The house is strictly private and no flowers are requested, with donations instead being accepted for Marie Curie.
To Erin’s husband, children and the entire family circle, we offer our heartfelt sympathy at this time of great loss.
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