Maternity mistake

Medical accident lawyer, Oliver Thorne, is pressing for improved maternity services following a devastating maternity mistake that left another family with life-changing consequences.

The BBC has featured the story of Remi, a baby girl who suffered epilepsy and cerebral palsy as a result of an error that was made during her birth.

Prior to giving birth Remi’s mother, Megan, was mistakenly given an oxytocin drip—commonly used to induce labour—instead of a saline solution.

Megan quickly realised something was wrong. She told the BBC:

“The only thoughts running through my mind were that I’d seen Remi’s heart rate drop so, so low, and I was in excruciating pain. I remember turning to my partner, Cameron, and telling him, ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it out.’”

A a result of the maternity mistake, Megan experienced a placental abruption, and had to undergo an emergency Caesarean. Remi was born with a brain injury due to oxygen deprivation.

Megan approached AvMA panel member Oliver for specialist legal advice. Oliver has campaigned for many years for improved maternity services and specialises in maternity mistake cases.

The hospital admitted it was at fault for what happened. An investigation revealed that the oxytocin infusion had been left unattended in the operating theatre and had been used accidentally. In doing so, hospital staff had overridden electronic medication safeguards.

The NHS Foundation Trust apologised to the family, saying:

“We have accepted that we could and should have done better for them and we are working with them and their legal team to agree compensation to support Remi in the future.”

Oliver and his team are now liaising with the Trust to agree a compensation package for Remi and her family.

Megan and Remi’s case is part of a wider picture of inadequate and substandard maternity care in England. A Care Quality Commission review has highlighted systemic challenges in maternity services nationally, arsing from staffing shortages, outdated equipment, and lapses in safety protocols. Shockingly, nearly two-thirds of the maternity units were rated as “inadequate” or “requiring improvement” in safety.

North Devon District Hospital, where Remi was born, has faced scrutiny, with CQC inspections consistently finding that it requires improvement. However, progress has been slow. By sharing her story, Megan hopes that meaningful change will now be made.

How we can help with cases of maternity mistake

If you have been the victim of a maternity mistake and want to know what your legal options are, then contact clinical negligence lawyer, Oliver Thorne, for a free consultation.

Call us on 0333 888 0412 or email brief details of your case to us in complete confidence at [email protected]

Maternity mistake

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