AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a baby who died nine days after being born in hospital.
Walter German was born unresponsive at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on December 30 in 2020.
His mother, Eileen McCarthy, had gone through a lengthy labour which led to her needing an episiotomy, a surgical cut during childbirth to allow for an easier delivery.
Ms McCarthy described how Walter was "blue and floppy" as he had been starved of oxygen and needed to be resuscitated.
The inquest heard that Ms McCarthy and her partner Noel German were in "complete shock" after they were told their newborn may have a brain injury.
On January 8, 2021, when it emerged Walter would not recover from the brain injury his parents made the decision to remove life support.
Ms McCarthy had suffered a third degree tear during her previous labour three years earlier.
Lawyers at Fieldfisher are pursuing a civil negligence case, as an elective Caesarean section was not discussed with Ms McCarthy.
The firm claims a midwife acknowledged they had not been aware Ms McCarthy had suffered the tear, despite it being recorded in her notes.
The firm states that a report carried out by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) identified “several failures” in Ms McCarthy’s care, particularly a lack of foetal monitoring and failure to bring in the obstetric team during the birth.
In evidence heard yesterday at Brighton and Hove Coroner’s Court , several midwives involved in Ms McCarthy’s care stated that the foetal heartbeat was monitored in line with Nice protocol.
It was also heard that during the delivery, the Labour Ward co-ordinator, midwife Victoria Wright, did not believe that calling the obstetrician during Walter’s delivery “would have made a difference”.
She told the hearing: "I don't think in hindsight it would have made a difference.
"It was one of the worst resuscitations I have been involved in. I was shocked."
Rebecca Drew, from Fieldfisher, said: "Walter's death is yet another tragedy in the series of maternity failings that have rocked the whole country.
"Walter's parents are determined to create something positive from what happened - to ensure no one else suffers an unbearable loss like theirs.
"We must continue to push the government to properly fund safe care for mothers and the babies to make sure this happens."
In 2021, maternity and surgical services at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust were found to be inadequate.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised concerns about staff shortages, skills training and risk management.
The hearing, being held at Hove County Cricket Ground by coroner Sarah Clarke, continues.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here