Questions raised at Holyrood over how new mother died in stairwell
Questions have been asked at Holyrood over how a new mother could get lost in a major hospital before being found dying alone in a stairwell.
Conservative health spokesman Mile Briggs wrote to health secretary Jeane Freeman demanding answers as tributes were paid to Amanda Cox yesterday.
The 34-year-old was found on Monday night at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary seven hours after going missing in just her pyjamas and slippers from a maternity ward.
“The death of new mum Amanda Cox, only four days after giving birth to her baby boy, is utterly heartbreaking,” said Mr Briggs.
“The many questions which Amanda’s family will have, now need answered, about why this ever happened and what protocols for supporting and monitoring new and vulnerable mothers are in place.
“I have written to the health secretary to ask for an investigation into what happened to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again.”
Ms Cox, who only gave birth to a baby boy four days before, was found in a rarely used staircase after suffering a sus-
FAMILY FRIEND pected massive haemorrhage. Sheisunderstoodtohavebeen on ward 210 or 211 – both specialist maternity units – after giving birth.
Her son is believed to have been admitted to the specialist care unit downstairs from the maternity wards having been born five days prematurely.
Ms Scott, from Peebles, is believed to have been found by police trawling CCTV in the stairwell above ward 209 – on the opposite side of the hospital block.
A family friend said: “Amanda had been suffering headaches even before she had been in hospital for the birth and was due to see a specialist.
“Apparently she was going back to her room for medication but took a wrong turning and came out of the neonatal ward into a disused ward.”
The source added: “After transferring from Borders General Hospital, baby Murray seems to be doing OK 0 Amanda Cox was found in a little-used hospital stairwell
although he was just 3lb 7oz when born. Hospital bosses offered their condolences to Amanda’s family and said staff will be helping police with their investigations.”
Jim Crombie, deputy chief executive, NHS Lothian, said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with the family of Amanda Cox at this sad time. A police investigation is ongoing and we are assisting with their inquiries.”
Tributes have continued to pour in on social media to the talented and popular darts player. Mike Hood posted on Facebook: “Tragic loss of life, great darts player. RIP.”
Others shared their own stories of getting into difficulty while trying to find their way around the hospital.
Raksha Wolf said: “I got lost trying to get back to maternity earlier this year. I was with my husband, but it was still a bit scary and hard to retrace our steps.”
Louisa Mitchell added: “This is so utterly tragic and heartbreaking. I struggled to find my way to and from the ward to SCBU when my babies were in there. Everywhere looks the same and I was only taken there once in a wheelchair, after that I had to find my own way. My heart is broken for her and her family.”
Ms Cox’s death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious by police.
“She was going back to her room for medication but took a wrong turning and came out of the neonatal ward into a disused ward”