What caused baby Pippa Gillibrand's death?

Baby Pippa Gillibrand died as a result of a brain injury sustained due to an avoidable delay in her delivery.

Why was Pippa Gillibrand's home birth delayed?

The home birth was delayed because inexperienced midwives were dispatched due to staffing pressures, and there were missed opportunities to cancel the home birth or transfer the mother to the hospital when monitoring difficulties arose.

What changes are being made after Pippa Gillibrand's death?

The hospital trust has strengthened its home birth service and implemented recommendations from an independent review. The coroner is also urging for national guidance on home birth services.

Home / Health / Hospital Played 'Russian Roulette' with Baby's Life

Hospital Played 'Russian Roulette' with Baby's Life

27 Jan

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Summary

Baby died due to avoidable delay in delivery.
Inexperienced midwives scrambled due to staffing issues.
Coroner recommends national guidance for home births.

Hospital Played 'Russian Roulette' with Baby's Life

A baby girl named Pippa Gillibrand died on September 5, 2024, following a significant brain injury sustained after an avoidable delay in her delivery at Warrington Hospital. Her parents, Victoria and Tom Gillibrand, had opted for a home birth, expecting experienced midwives who were unavailable due to staffing pressures.

Coroner Victoria Davies concluded that the home birth should have been cancelled. When midwives struggled to monitor Pippa's heart rate, an immediate transfer to the hospital was warranted. It is likely that earlier assessment and delivery would have prevented Pippa's death.

The inquest revealed missed opportunities to cancel the home birth and a failure to transfer the mother to the hospital promptly. Inexperienced midwives attended the home birth, facing competing pressures including short staffing.