Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
12th August, 2024.
In a deeply tragic incident at King’s Mill Hospital, a newborn baby named Theo Bradley lost his life after being starved of oxygen during birth while midwives reportedly joked about eating Haribo sweets and discussed their earnings. The inquest into Theo’s death has exposed shocking details of negligence and delays that ultimately led to the fatal outcome.
Theo’s mother, Amelia Bradley, arrived at the hospital in labor, experiencing significant pain. Despite being the only patient in the triage department, Amelia was left waiting for 40 minutes before being assessed. During this time, she overheard midwives engaged in light-hearted conversation about their snacks and pay, while her repeated pleas for help were ignored.
When Amelia was finally assessed, it was discovered that Theo had a slow heart rate, a sign of fetal distress that necessitated an immediate response. An emergency caesarean section was ordered, but the situation worsened when crucial resuscitation equipment was found to be missing, causing further delays in Theo’s care.
Despite the medical team’s efforts to save him, Theo suffered a severe brain injury due to the prolonged lack of oxygen. He passed away the following day in his parents’ arms, leaving his family devastated.
The inquest, led by Nottinghamshire Assistant Coroner Elizabeth Didcock, concluded that neglect played a significant role in Theo’s death. The coroner determined that had Theo been delivered earlier, he would have likely survived. The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) report also highlighted the absence of a designated lead in the maternity triage department, which contributed to the mismanagement and delays that occurred.
Amelia Bradley and her partner, Luke Sherwood, are now advocating for improvements in maternity care to prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak. In honor of Theo’s memory, Amelia plans to pursue a degree in midwifery, with the hope of making a difference in the lives of mothers and their babies.
This tragic case underscores the urgent need for accountability and significant reforms in maternity care practices to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and their newborns.
Resources:
2.https://news.yahoo.com/news/baby-died-midwives-joked-eating-141952227.html
3.https://headtopics.com/uk/baby-boy-died-after-being-starved-of-oxygen-as-midwives-55571949