Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, also known as Arrowe Park Hospital, have agreed a 5 figure settlement with Family of woman who died after giving birth to a still born son.
It was reported in the daily news today that Carly Harper, from Westkirby, Wirral, was admitted to Arrowe Park Hospital in May 2012 when she was 24 weeks pregnant, after her waters broke and her contractions started. Carly was pregnant with her first child and was only 26 yrs of age.
Carly advised the staff at the Hospital that she was in pain and after an Ultrasound it was discovered that her unborn son was dying so the Doctors induced birth. Carly did not give birth until 6 hours after the scan, when she gave birth to a still born son.
Carly was taken into intensive care and placed on a Ventilator but died the following day of multiple organ failure.
Carly’s family held Arrowe Park Hospital for their daughter’s death, claiming that the Hospital staff delayed inducing her labour and they did not act quickly enough on signs she had sepsis, a severe infection.
The Hospital trust produced a Serious Incident Review Report, which recognised a number of failings in the care that was provided to Carly. One of those failings was the failure of the obstetric team to respond with sufficient urgency to the seriousness of her condition.
The trust admitted that “there was a delay in delivering the deceased’s foetus and in administering the second antibiotic as per Trust policyâ€. But the Trust did not accept that their failings contributed to and/or caused Carly’s death.
It will be interesting to see what Coroner David Lewis determines to have been the cause of Carly’s death when the inquest is held in the near future. The inquest is expected to take 3 days and he will hear evidence from clinicians that were responsible for Miss Harper’s care.
If you or someone you know has suffered medical negligence then get in touch with Alisha Butler-Ward at Burd Ward Solicitors* on 0151 639 8273 or by email on alishaward@burdward.co.uk