The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Staff criticised for failings after couple tragically lost baby
Ombudsman says abnormalities were missed and extra tests not carried out
A Fife couple who lost their baby have had their complaint about the management of the woman’s pregnancy upheld by a health watchdog.
The mother-to-be lost her baby just days after undergoing tests at the Victoria Hospital for possible preeclampsia.
The couple, known only as Mr and Mrs C, complained to the Scottish Ombudsman, who found the board failed to conduct further tests to clarify Mrs C’s diagnosis, contrary to guidelines.
After taking independent advice the ombudsman upheld the Fife couple’s complaint about the management of her pregnancy.
As well as failing to do additional tests to clarify her diagnosis – between high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia – he also found NHS Fife had failed to recognise two abnormalities on two CTG recordings.
However, he did not uphold complaints about the continuity of care, the couple’s involvement in a clinical review or the bereavement support made available to them, although he did give NHS Fife feedback on those points.
This included considering a business proposal for a bereavement midwife.
Mrs C had increased blood pressure during her pregnancy, as well as slightly raised protein levels in her urine.
These can both be signs of preeclampsia, a condition which can lead to serious complications both for mum and baby.
When she was 38 weeks pregnant a plan was made for the baby to be induced in a week’s time. In the meantime, she was admitted overnight to monitor her high blood pressure.
She was also given a cardiotocography in a follow-up appointment which showed some problems, including a slowing heartbeat, However, staff thought this was down to Mrs C’s movements.
She was discharged but when she returned two days later for the induction, her baby was found to have died. He was stillborn the next day. A post-mortem examination found Mrs C’s placenta had not been functioning properly, a symptom consistent with pre-eclampsia.
NHS Fife director of nursing Helen Wright said: “NHS Fife accepts the findings of the Ombudsman’s investigation report and we would like to publicly apologise to Mr and Mrs C for falling short of the expected standards of care during a traumatic time for them.
“We strive to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of care and, where this has fallen short, we learn from our shortcomings and put in place measures to avoid any similar circumstances in future.
“While we have only recently received the Ombudsman’s report, we have already started to enact its recommendations and these should all be in place over the coming weeks.”
We would like to publicly apologise to Mr and Mrs C for falling short of the expected standards of care during a traumatic time for them