Please note: the contents of this article, which is published with the permission of the family, may cause upset to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
A grieving Isle of Wight couple are calling for lessons to be learned after the Isle of Wight NHS Trust admitted that a 2-day delay in inducing mum caused their baby son’s death.
Helen Brotherton, from Newport, visited St Mary’s Hospital on 5th June and 7th June 2020, complaining of reduced movement of her baby in the womb. On her second visit, Helen, who was full term with her first child, was induced. Helen’s and husband Ed’s son, Troy, was then sadly delivered stillborn.
Helen, 32, and Ed, 36, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under Isle of Wight NHS Trust. The couple are now using Baby Loss Awareness Week to speak for the first time about their ordeal.
It comes after the Trust admitted a breach of duty. It admitted that doctors should have offered an induction of labour to Helen on 5th June. If the Trust had, on the balance of probabilities, Troy would not have been stillborn, it added.
Justine Spencer, Partner, who heads the Southampton medical negligence team at Irwin Mitchell representing Helen and Ed, 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.
Article continues below this advertisement “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.”
On 3rd June last year, at 38 weeks, Helen attended a routine community midwife appointment. She raised concerns Troy’s movements had been reduced. However, Helen was not told to attend the hospital’s maternity day assessment unit straight away. 2 days later Helen called the hospital’s maternity ward concerned about further reduced movement in the womb. Following a scan of Troy’s heart rate Helen was allowed home.
However, her legal team said that because Helen was overdue with Troy and it was the second time she complained of reduced movement, staff should not have been reassured by the scan. Helen’s care should have been escalated to more senior doctors for review and potential induction of labour.
On 7th June Helen returned to hospital concerned about Troy’s movements. His heart rate could not be found. Helen was induced. Troy was delivered stillborn the following day.
The Trust also admitted that Helen was not appropriately risk assessed during her appointment on 3rd June and she should have been advised to attend hospital straight away.
Helen, who works as 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, a principal operations manager, added:
“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.”
A spokesperson for Isle of Wight NHS Trust has said:
“We are truly sorry for the failings that led to Troy’s death.
“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.”
Baby Loss Awareness Week runs from 9th-15th October. For more information visit The Fir Grove Centre’s website at www.thefirgrovecentre.org.uk.
Absolutely deverstating…the ultimate pain a couple can go through…perhaps all could have been avoided so easily with due diligence. My deepest condolences to this couple and baby Troy who was fatally let down. The doctors and nurses do a great job up there but sometimes this happens and you can only feel for this family. X
Sadly there in no words that can come close to giving comfort to the parents.
I guess like many awful things that happen to people, only time will dull some of the pain, yet reminders are everywhere and dates, events, and others children will aways haunt them, yet hopefully to a lesser degree as time passes. Hope they stay strong for each other and family and friends support them with full understanding.
R.I.P little baby Troy.
So sorry and so sad.Typical of the nhs covid only matters