A catalogue of failings at St Mary's Hospital led to the "heartbreaking" death of an Isle of Wight couple's baby son.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust says it is "truly sorry" for the loss of Troy Brotherton and is ensuring "lessons are learned".
Helen and Ed Brotherton's son was delivered stillborn in June last year. It has since been ruled he would likely still be alive had it not been for a two-day delay in inducing Helen.
The couple, from Newport, who would've been first time parents, say they're "angry and upset" by the Trust's breach of duty. They are now campaigning to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to others.
What happened?
Helen, 32, first raised concerns over reduced movements on June 3 last year, when she was 38 weeks pregnant.
While attending a routine community midwife appointment, she was told not to attend the hospital’s maternity day assessment unit (DAU) straight away.
Again concerned, Helen called St Mary's maternity ward two days later (June 5) but was allowed home following a scan of Troy's heart rate.
As it was the second time concerns had been raised, Helen's legal team, Irwin Mitchell, argue staff should not have been reassured by the scan and instead escalated it to more senior doctors, who may have induced her.
That did not happen and on June 7 a concerned Helen returned to hospital. Troy's heart rate could not be found and he was delivered stillborn the following day.
"Heartbreaking"
The Trust has admitted that doctors should have offered an induction of labour to Helen on June 5.
If the Trust had, on the balance of probabilities, Troy would not have been stillborn.
It was also found that Helen was not appropriately risk assessed during her appointment on June 3 and she should have been advised to attend hospital straight away.
On Baby Loss Awareness Week, the couple are speaking for the first time about the tragedy.
Helen, a baby room manager, said:
“We were overjoyed by the prospect of being parents. It was something we had always wanted, and because of certain personal health issues, felt incredibly lucky to be expecting Troy.
“I was really worried that Troy’s movements had started to reduce. However, at no stage did it feel like staff seemed concerned.
“I tried not to fear the worst and stay positive but it was heartbreaking when we were told that we had lost Troy.
“Ed and I got to spend some time with him in hospital but it wasn’t enough. Having to leave Troy knowing we wouldn’t be able to bring him home to start our new lives together is something I don’t think we’ll ever get over.”
Ed, 36 and a principal operations manager, said:
“Knowing things would probably have been different if Helen and Troy had received the care they deserved is the hardest thing to accept.
“It’s difficult not to feel upset and angry by what happened and not think of how Troy would be growing and developing if he hadn’t have been let down.
“We would give anything to turn back the clock and for things to be different but we know that’s not possible. All we can do now is share what happened to us to make other parents aware and urge hospitals to review their procedures and improve care where needed.
“We also want to let others going through the same emotions as us following the loss of a baby that it’s not their fault. They don’t have to suffer alone. Baby Loss Awareness Week is an important reminder that there is help and support available.”
"Truly sorry"
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust told Isle of Wight Radio it is "truly sorry" for the failings that led to Troy's death.
A spokesperson said:
“Nothing we can say can take away the pain felt by his family, but we have worked closely with them to ensure that lessons have been learned from this tragedy.
“We can confirm that we have made changes and have now implemented the latest national Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle and have changed our practices accordingly.”
Irwin Mitchell says it is working with the trust to resolve any issues.
Justine Spencer, Partner, who represented Helen and Ed for Irwin Mitchell, said:
“Helen and Ed are understandably traumatised by Troy’s death. Their story is a stark reminder of the devastation families can be left to face as a result of avoidable failings in maternity care.
“While nothing can make up for their loss we’re pleased that we’ve been able to provide the family with the answers they deserve. We thank the Trust for its swift admissions which has spared Helen and Ed the ordeal of having to prolong their case.
“We’re now working with the Trust to fully resolve the issues identified in the case so Helen and Ed can try and look to the future the best they can.
“However, it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve patient care for others. We’ll continue to campaign to improve maternity safety.”
Baby Loss Awareness Week runs from October 9-15.
If you have been affected by this story, you can contact The Firgrove Centre online http://thefirgrovecentre.org.uk/ or by calling 02380783134.
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