12th December 2019 – Our client, a 35-year-old woman from Folkestone, Kent, suffered the loss of her child in August 2016.
Our client went into labour on 15.08.16 at 35 weeks + 2 days, she attended at
QEQM Hospital (Margate), and was admitted to the labour ward.
A CTG was performed upon admission, at approximately 10:40pm, and the
midwife requested review by the obstetric registrar due to concerns. However, upon review, the registrar determined that the CTG was normal. The registrar also failed to perform a vaginal examination at that time.
An internal review later identified that in both respects the registrar’s actions amounted to poor care and concluded that, in fact, the CTG was abnormal showing shallow decelerations, reduced variability, and no accelerations. The CTG appearance at this point was an indication for delivery.
The CTG continued and there continued to be concern by the midwife, yet the obstetric team continued to believe that the CTG did not warrant an expedited delivery.
It took until 2:43am, and a significant decline in the foetal heart rate, before the obstetric team finally realised that there was a problem. At that point,
emergency assistance was called and at 2:48am the decision was made to
perform a category 1 caesarean section.
Our client’s baby was delivered at 3.05am, but without signs of life. After attempts at resuscitation failed, a stillbirth was recorded.
As a consequence of the loss of her child, our client developed PTSD which affected her ability to work and to care for her other children. She required a course of EMDR.
The Defendant Trust admitted liability for the failings our investigations had identified. Following a brief negotiation, settlement was agreed in the sum of £92,500.
Alex Tengroth, senior solicitor at Fairweathers LLP, said “This is yet another
tragic case involving the avoidable death of a baby at the QEQM Hospital,
Margate. Our client has suffered hugely as a consequence of her loss, like so
many others highlighted in recent reports. I very much hope that we now see
a significant over hauling of the way in which obstetric services in East Kent
are run so that avoidable deaths do not occur in the future.”
If you or a member of your family believes you have a claim then please do not hesitate to phone us free on 0800 999 5585, request a call back or submit your case details.