Heartbroken mum told 'neglect of hospital staff' contributed to death of her baby

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A coroner has concluded that the death of a baby who survived just one day was 'contributed to by neglect' of hospital staff.Despite a routine pregnancy, little Luca Yates died in the maternity unit less than 24 hours after his birth in January 2022.

A coroner concluded on Friday that a string of failures in the care of his mother Nicole Ditchfield - both when she went into labour and in attempts to resuscitate her son after his birth - contributed to his death.Maternity staff at Tameside General Hospital, near Manchester, didn't offer the mum the chance to stay overnight when she came to the unit the night before, as her contractions intensified.

As reported by the Manchester Evening Times, Nicole - who was giving birth to her first child - told the inquest she was made to feel like she was being 'over-dramatic'.When she returned the following afternoon - after 13 unanswered telephone calls to the unit - she was found to be fully dilated but, because no heart-beat could be detected, Luca was delivered by emergency Caesarean section.

Already in cardiac arrest, medics tried to resuscitate Luca but for 14 crucial minutes medics administered oxygen at too low a concentration, the coroner ruled.At Stockport Coroners' Court, Coroner Christopher Morris concluded: "Luca Yates died as a consequence of complications arising from asphyxia around the time of birth.