13 November 2018
Incidents of brain damage and new-born deaths have been caused by a failure to follow guidelines and best practice a report claims.
The report by Each Baby counts found that three quarters of babies may have had a different outcome had guidelines and best practice has been used. The report can be found here (https://www.rcog.org.uk/eachbabycounts)
More on the story can be found here:
http://news.sky.com/story/baby-deaths-caused-in-part-by-bad-maternity-care-11552926
It is necessary to raise awareness in light of this week being baby loss awareness week in an attempt to ensure that babies are not harmed unnecessarily.
Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place from 9 to 15 October every year. It’s an opportunity for parents, their families and friends to acknowledge and remember their precious babies who have died. It is led by Sands (https://www.sands.org.uk) in collaboration with over 60 charities in the UK.
Baby Loss Awareness Week highlights the pleight:
- for bereaved parents and families across the world to commemorate their babies’ lives
- to break the silence around pregnancy or baby loss in the UK
- to ensure all bereaved parents in the UK get the best possible care, wherever they live, when they need it
Williamsons Solicitors have expertise in dealing with cases relating to Still Births and Neonatal Deaths as a result of negligent treatment. Wayne Walker, Solicitor within our Clinical Negligence Department has vast experience with such cases and he has acted on a number of cases which are very delicate and sensitive in nature.
A Recent press articles have identified a “healthcare professional” who has been arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to kill six others at a hospital.
Cheshire Police said the woman’s arrest was a “significant step forward” in an investigation into deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The investigation of 17 newborn deaths at the hospital between March 2015 and July 2016 and it also covers 15 “non-fatal collapses”.
Det Insp Paul Hughes said the investigation was “highly complex and very sensitive” and officers were doing “everything we possibly can to try to establish in detail what has led to these baby deaths and collapses”.
A support network for people who experience Still Birth’s and Neonatal Deaths can contact SANDS which is there to support bereaved families after such an event. More information on the assistance SANDS offers can be found here (https://www.uk-sands.org/).
You can get involved with Baby Loss Awareness Week here https://www.sands.org.uk/get-involved/sands-campaigns/baby-loss-awareness-week
Finally, you can report any issues to Williamsons here (wayne.walker@williamsons.co.uk) and we will ensure that it is reported to Each Baby Counts here: (https://www.rcog.org.uk/eachbabycounts)
If you require any further information about Still Births or Neonatal Deaths, please contact our Clinical Negligence Department who are there to support you through this difficult time.
