Baby brain damaged after delayed C-section

A newborn baby boy, Cobie, sustained brain damage due to a significant delay in receiving an emergency C-section. His mother, Shanine Skilton-Cole, reported her concerns about her son's low heart rate were not addressed promptly at East Surrey Hospital.

Medical staff waited 30 minutes before ordering the crucial procedure, leading to Cobie being deprived of oxygen at birth on July 18, 2022. He was born weighing 7lbs 9oz and required immediate resuscitation.

Cobie, now three years old, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, leaving him unable to walk or talk and requiring constant care. He spent his first 84 days in hospital and was readmitted multiple times, facing challenges with swallowing and seizures.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, acknowledged a breach of duty, confirming a review should have been requested sooner and Cobie should have been delivered 17 minutes earlier. The trust is cooperating with the family to secure a settlement for Cobie's lifelong needs.

Research by Irwin Mitchell indicates that a quarter of mothers lack confidence in maternity services, with 53% encountering complications. This highlights ongoing concerns about the quality and safety of maternity care across the country.