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Baby's Death: Inquest Questions Hospital's Urgency
14 Sep
Summary
- Parents say staff appeared relaxed and didn't convey baby's critical condition.
- Midwife believed mother was high risk and baby's scan was abnormal.
- Family argues timely delivery could have saved the baby's life.
An inquest is underway into the death of Richard George, a baby boy who passed away eight days after his birth in December 2024. Delivered via Caesarean section at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Richard's mother had maternal diabetes, and both her previous children were born via C-section.
The baby's parents expressed that medical staff did not clearly communicate Richard's serious condition, describing the atmosphere as "very relaxed" and lacking urgency. They were unaware their son had suffered a lack of oxygen or sustained a potential brain injury.
During the inquest, a midwife stated she considered the mother high-risk and noted an abnormal fetal heart scan that she believed the registrar did not adequately address. Richard was transferred to Royal Preston Hospital, where his parents eventually made the decision to withdraw intensive care.
Representing the family, a solicitor argued that an emergency C-section, occurring two to three hours earlier, could have prevented Richard's death and any resulting brain damage, allowing him to be a healthy child today. The Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has stated it is inappropriate to comment before the inquest concludes.
