Inquest criticises maternity care

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Maternity negligence lawyer, Oliver Thorne, represents the family of a baby who died after medical staff failed to monitor his condition.

The baby, Giles Cooper-Hall, was just 16 hours old when he passed away at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. The case has attracted the attention of the national media, including the BBC and ITV, with the parents calling for a national public inquiry into maternity safety to be held.

The hospital accepted that mistakes were made and opportunities missed.

Prior to the inquest the case had been investigated by The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch, which was critical of maternity staff for failing to follow the care plan that had been put in place. Five recommendations were made, which the trust confirmed had all now been put in place.

The coroner’s narrative conclusion stated that Giles had died from a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen, describing it as a “truly tragic case”. She said that if the baby’s care had been different then his death might have been avoided.

The family’s lawyer, Oliver Thorne, who heads up our childbirth injury team, said that serious questions need to be answered. He is currently dealing with a number of similar cases involving substandard medical treatment at maternity units. “The themes are similar,” he said, “including the lack of fetal monitoring and the failure to recognise an emergency situation when it arises.

Oliver, who is recommended by the two leading legal directories, Chambers and the Legal 500, is an AvMA panel member and a leading campaigner for improvements in NHS maternity services.

Commenting on the inquest Oliver said:

“This was a desperately sad case. Basic medical care was not provided. The midwives failed to hand over the care plan or ensure that medical records were checked correctly. Something needs to change.”

If you are looking for an experienced maternity negligence lawyer and would like to have an informal chat with Oliver on a confidential basis, then contact our legal helpline.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Inquest criticises maternity care

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