Trust admits negligence led to death of newborn at St Peter's Hospital
Marcos Eleftheriou secured a full admission of liability from Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust following the tragic death of his client's baby at two days old.
Sophie's baby Zachary suffered severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and sadly died after a negligent failure at the hospital to adequately deal with a fetal-maternal haemorrhage and deliver him on time.
Zachary was Sophie and her finance Josh's first child, and the pregnancy had been smooth and low risk until shortly before she was due tests revealed she had raised blood pressure and protein in her urine. This should have seen her care escalated to an obstetrician, but she was sent home by midwifery staff at St Peter's hospital.
Sophie was admitted to the hospital on her due date with concerns of reduced fetal movement and had an emergency c-section. Zachary was delivered in poor condition and transferred to neonatal intensive care but sadly died two days later.
The couple were told that a fetal-maternal haemorrhage had occurred, where the baby's blood cells get lost in the mother's bloodstream, and that Zachary had sustained a brain injury by the time he was delivered. Zachary died from severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), a condition that affects the brain when it does not get enough oxygen and/or blood flow, and severe anaemia, caused by the haemorrhage.
A Serious Untoward Incident Report investigation by the hospital after his death found major failings in Sophie's care. It is likely that she had pre-eclampsia that went untreated, which was extremely dangerous as she was 37 and 40 weeks pregnant. If she had been referred to an obstetrician when her tests revealed high blood pressure and protein in the urine, then Zachary would have been delivered sooner and survived, the investigation concluded.
Sophie and Josh were shocked and upset to learn that their baby would be alive today if the proper steps had been taken. The couple, who are expecting a child next year, are extremely angry and feel completely let down by the hospital. Sophie said that what happened will never leave her, it is always on her mind.
The Trust accepts there were failings that led to Zachary's death and have apologised to Sophie and Josh for the mistakes that had devastating consequences. Lawyers acting for the Trust have expressed a wish to work with Marcos and the Fieldfisher team collaboratively to reach a settlement as swiftly as possible.
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For further information about birth injury claims or medical negligence claims please call Marcos Eleftheriou on 0330 460 6352 or email marcos.eleftheriou@fieldfisher.com
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