Tragic Baby Death: Inquest Exposes Oxygen Deprivation During Birth Amid Midwives' Disturbingly Casual Behavior

Tragic Baby Death Inquest Exposes Oxygen Deprivation During Birth midwives Disturbingly Casual Behavior

By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Jul 10, 10:40 am

Photo: (Photo : PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP via Getty Images)

A baby tragically passed away after being deprived of oxygen during birth while midwives reportedly made light-hearted comments about their snacks and earnings, an inquest revealed.

Baby Who Needed Oxygen Dies Due to Care Delays at King's Mill Hospital

Theo Bradley required resuscitation due to delays in care at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottingham, in September last year.

His mother, Amelia Bradley, 26, recounted calling for help in severe pain multiple times but hearing maternity staff engaged in casual conversation, including remarks like, "I can't believe how many Haribos I've had tonight." Despite arriving at the hospital, she allegedly waited 40 minutes instead of the expected 15 for assessment, as several midwives were gathered around a desk.

According to an obstetrician from the Trust, prompt attention could have likely saved Theo's life. However, critical delays persisted, and when attention was finally given, one midwife reportedly commented on a colleague's higher earnings before realizing the urgency.

Theo was born with a slow heart rate, prompting an immediate category one cesarean delivery. Despite efforts, resuscitation equipment was missing, and Theo had to be transferred to a specialist neonatal unit, where his condition worsened and he passed away the following day, suffering from a severe brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation.

The Nottingham Coroner's Court concluded that neglect contributed to Theo's death, emphasizing that earlier delivery might have prevented the tragedy. His parents, devastated by the loss, are now advocating for improved maternity care to prevent similar heartbreak for other families.

Amelia, who plans to pursue a midwifery degree, expressed her desire to honor Theo's memory by advocating for better care standards, reflecting on the profound and enduring grief since losing her baby.

Baby Dies in ICU After Staff Turned Off Emergency Alarms

A coroner has ruled that hospital neglect played a role in the death of a two-month-old baby after staff turned off emergency alarms.

Louella Sheridan, who succumbed to Covid and a related heart condition at Royal Bolton Hospital on April 24, 2022, following bronchiolitis treatment in the intensive care unit, suffered due to the deactivation of emergency alarms, a coroner's investigation has concluded.

Coroner John Pollard determined that staff neglect contributed significantly to Louella's tragic death after alarms on her monitoring equipment were muted and subsequently powered down before her collapse in the high-dependency unit.

Pollard highlighted a "serious failure" in basic medical care, suggesting that had the alarms not been silenced, prompt intervention might have extended Louella's life, if only briefly.

The inquest heard poignant testimony from Louella's mother, Casey Quigley, who recalled a nurse commenting dismissively about the alarms the night Louella passed away.

The heartbreaking loss has deeply affected the family, prompting them to seek accountability and changes in hospital practices to protect other vulnerable infants.

Responding to the findings, Tyrone Roberts, chief nurse at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, expressed profound regret and acknowledged systemic shortcomings, pledging improvements based on the coroner's recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.