Pages On: Birth Injury

Two midwives responsible for baby death

Posted: 2 March 2016

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust have accepted the findings in a report commissioned by NHS England, that two midwives should be held responsible for the death of a baby six hours after her birth. The report was carried out by the External Midwifery Supervisory Review after years of campaigning by the baby’s parents. Kate Stanton-Davies died just hours after being born in March 2009.  She was born with anaemia and was “pale and floppy”.  The report raised “serious concerns” about the fitness of the two midwives to practice, neither of whom had…

Sir Patrick Stewart attempt to stop A&E closure

Posted: 31 January 2016

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence

Sir Patrick Stewart has joined in the campaign to stop the Accident and Emergency department of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary being closed down. In proposals health chiefs are considering demolishing the hospital as part of a plan to revamp Huddersfield’s health services. It is proposed that a new medical facility be built in the town, but that A&E services should be moved to the Calderdale Royal Hospital in neighbouring Halifax. Sir Patrick, who was born in the town, has tweeted from his home in Los Angeles his disapproval of the plan. In his tweet,…

Weekend babies ‘significantly’ higher chance of death

Posted: 29 November 2015

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

In a study published in the British Medical Journal has revealed that babies born in English hospitals at the weekend have a ‘significantly’ higher chance of dying than those born during the week.  The study looked at the rates of stillbirths or deaths within seven days from 2010-12 and comprised more than 1.3 million births. The result showed that around 7.1 deaths per 1000 babies born at weekends was 7% higher than babies born on weekdays. The team from Imperial College London estimated that there would be 770 fewer deaths…

‘Serious concerns’ over Wales’ midwives

Posted: 26 October 2015

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence

Following a recent review of the midwifery system in north Wales, a number of “serious concerns” have been raised with regards to education and supervision. The “extraordinary review” was carried out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in July after it was decided that Bangor University withdraw their students from Glan Clwyd Hospital after the Health Inspectorate Wales flagged up some issues. The NMC review looked at all areas of the midwifery service, closely examining the supervision procedures. It found that not all ‘annual supervisory reviews’, which ensure that…

Former midwife accused of baby deaths

Posted: 2 May 2015

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A hearing expected to last until 15 May is underway to investigate the actions of former midwife, Marie Ratcliffe, and their contribution to the deaths of 2 new born babies. Elleanor Bennett died in 2004 and Alex Davey-Brady in 2008.  The accused also accepts more than 60 additional allegations which include failure to seek doctors’ assistance, failure to adequately monitor mothers and babies during labour and failure to document her actions. She denies, however, attempting to cover-up the mistakes and any effort to “conceal the truth”. Reading out a letter from…

Expectant mother sent home “in agony”

Posted: 4 October 2014

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A mother-to-be was sent home from hospital “in agony” only a couple of days before her baby died.  Amanda Skyes had been rushed into hospital during labour, but was told by doctors that she could not be induced, as she was not ten days over her due date.  Ms Skyes said in a statement that she felt “concerned” about being at home, having been discharged from hospital with paracetamol for the pain. The following day Ms Skyes went into labour and was rushed to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan. Midwives told…

Infection prevention failure caused baby deaths

Posted: 25 March 2014

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

The Health Watchdog has found that an E. coli outbreak at Swansea’s Singleton Hospital, which killed two babies, was most likely down to an infection control failure. The outbreak happened in November 2011, involving a mother, her two twins and another baby. All three babies and the twins’ mother were found to have the same EBSL strain of E. coli.  The neo-natal unit was closed for a month following the outbreak. All three babies were born premature on the 31st of October through a caesarean section operation, and all required…

Hospital apologises for mother’s death after caesarean section

Posted: 9 November 2013

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Elizabeth Maddocks died less than 24 hours after undergoing a caesarean section during the birth of her daughter.  Mrs Maddocks, from Wrexham, was not administered with blood-thinning medication for a prolonged period after the operation.  It took hospital staff 12 hours to provide her with the blood-thinning medication, resulting in her suffering deep vein thrombosis despite her frequent complaints of a swollen leg. Mrs Maddocks died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in February of last year despite her multiple complaints to hospital staff.  An inquest concerning the death heard that Betsi…

Birth Injury Compensation

Posted in: Birth Injury, Medical Negligence

It is often said that no amount of compensation can make good the damage / injury caused by another party’s negligence, and this is perhaps more true of birth injuries than any other. The birth of a new baby is special for everyone involved, and this can be tainted by the negligence of a medical professional. Whilst compensation may not be able to undo all the harm that has been caused, it may go some way towards helping the parties to move on. Medical Negligence at Birth A birth injury…