SNP couple tell of baby heartbreak
AN MSP and his MP wife have spoken of their heartbreak at the death of their baby and called for a review of stillbirths in Scotland.
Kenny Gibson and his wife Patricia were devastated when their son Kenneth was stillborn seven years ago.
Mrs Gibson almost died during the birth, an ordeal from which she admits she is unlikely ever to recover emotionally.
The couple are due to meet Health Secretary Shona Robison to urge her to widen an investigation into baby deaths.
Miss Robison ordered a review of maternity services in NHS Ayrshire and Arran last month after six ‘avoidable’ deaths at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.
But the Gibsons, of Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, want her to extend the probe across Scotland.
Kenneth was stillborn at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital in October 2009.
Speaking in a Sunday newspaper, Cunninghame North Nationalist MSP Mr Gibson, 55, said: ‘We can’t bear the thought of what happened to us happening to anyone else. We want the Government and health boards to move this up the list of priorities.’
His 48-year-old wife, the Nationalist MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, said: ‘We’ve still got his cot in the house. We just can’t bear to get rid of it – it’s like removing all trace of him.’
After the first-time mother developed pre-eclampsia, a request for an emergency Caesarean was overruled by staff.
Mr Gibson left the hospital, to be told on his return their son had died.
Fully 24 hours later, by which time her liver had ruptured, Mrs Gibson finally had surgery, before spending three weeks in intensive care.
In an independent medical report commissioned by the couple, consultant obstetrician Professor Edward Shaxted found that Kenneth, who was delivered after dying in the womb the previous day, could probably have survived had staff reacted more quickly to signs that Mrs Gibson had preeclampsia. He described the errors as ‘extraordinary’.
The case was settled in March for a small sum after the Gibsons were warned they might be liable for all legal costs.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it would be inappropriate to comment.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said last night she would meet the couple shortly, adding: ‘The case of Kenneth and Patricia Gibson is totally unacceptable. No couple should have to go through this and receive no support or comfort from their health board.’