Postnatal Depression

Our Client’s daughter was diagnosed with postnatal depression by a GP in October 2012 following the birth of her first child.

The condition flared up following the arrival of her second child in 2014. She also suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) – an extreme form of morning sickness brought to the fore by the Duchess of Cambridge who suffered from the condition while expecting Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Additionally, the family believe she may have had postpartum psychosis after her second baby was born in 2014.

Our Client’s daughter died instantly on July 12, 2015 when she was hit by the Hull to Scarborough train near Spring Bank West after telling staff at Westlands, in Anlaby Road,  Hull, where she was a voluntary inpatient, she was going out to buy cigarettes.

Her daughter pleaded with bosses at Humber NHS Foundation Trust – responsible for the region’s mental health services – to allow her to be admitted to a mother and baby unit in Leeds. Westlands was not the right place for her, in the family’s opinion. She asked to be admitted to the specialist mother and baby unit, but her request were turned down.

Our Client is currently going through the Inquest process with the assistance of Wayne Walker, Solicitor here at Williamsons, who is experienced with both the Inquest procedure and medical negligence.

Wayne says “this case, as well as a number of cases before it, shows that improvements are needed for the provision of postnatal care, if future tragedies are to be prevented.

Although assurances have been given by the Trust on many occasions, the family are not convinced that if another individual presented tomorrow, she would receive better care”.

The Coroner has ruled it will be an ‘Article 2 inquest’. Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights protects everyone’s right to life. This means that the Inquest will go further into the processes that were in place to protect a person’s right and to establish whether there are any failings.

Anyone needing support to cope with postnatal depression can contact the Association for Post Natal Illnesses. Click here for more information or call 0207 3860868.