The parents were said to be devastated by the poor standard of care, which also included not being told of a problem picked up during the amniocentesis diagnostic procedure, a test carried out during pregnancy to look for any problems with the baby.

BBC: NHS Highland apologises for care of premature baby

Gore's office said she underwent a right thyroid lobectomy, a procedure the hospital described as precautionary after earlier diagnostic tests were deemed inconclusive.

CNN: Tipper Gore released from hospital