A hospital trust has pleaded guilty for failing to provide safe treatment and care following the death at 23 minutes of age of a baby.
Wynter Andrews’ mother stated that she was “failed in a most cruel way” at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
According to a prosecutor, the trust placed Sarah Andrews and Wynter at “significantly risk of avoidable injury” by failing to properly staff Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham and making sure they were aware of its guidelines.
Wynter was “born with a very slow rate of heartbeat” in September 2019, after Wynter had an emergency caesarean.
Sarah Andrews (left), makes a statement at Nottingham Magistrates’ court.
She died just 23 minutes and 30 second later in the arms Gary Andrews, her father.
Wynter died from a lack of oxygen to her brain. This was according to an earlier inquest. Staff at the QMC could have prevented this.
The NHS trust was found guilty of two counts of failing care and treatment that caused harm or loss to Wynter, her mother, and the NHS trust.
Outside Nottingham Magistrates Court, Mrs Andrews spoke alongside the family solicitor. She said that as first-time parents, all they wanted was to bring their precious baby home.
“The trust management was repeatedly warned by staff about safety at this unit. However, they failed to take any action. They were repeatedly warned about safety at the unit by grieving and harmed family members, but they didn’t listen or learn.
“They were repeatedly warned by different investigative agencies over many years about maternity safety issues at the trust. But they did not make the crucial changes necessary.
“We hope that the criminal prosecution of the trust for unsafe care will be the catalyst they need to prioritize patient safety and bring about meaningful change.”
Anthony May, the chief executive at Nottingham University Hospital Trust, arrives at Nottingham Magistrates’ court.
Anthony May, chief executive at the trust, apologized for the pain and sorrow that he and Mrs Andrews caused by our failings in maternity services.
“We let them down during what should have been joyous times in their lives.
Ryan Donoghue, the prosecutor, described multiple “serious” and “sustained” failings in Mrs Andrews’s care. This was exacerbated by staff shortages that led to the midwife caring also for a patient on another hospital ward.
The court heard from Mr Donoghue that the trust failed to provide adequate training and awareness to staff regarding policies concerning care for expectant mothers and delivery, including the need to have physical checks done and to discuss the prescribing of drugs with more senior colleagues.
Grace Leong, District Judge of the Philippines, informed the court that she would sentence the defendant – which could only be an indefinite fine – on Friday.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1184x299:1186x301)/heather-rae-tarek-el-moussa-tristan-032023-a273d5890eb745cdbb327def7ac3f135.jpg "Heather Rae El Moussa’s Baby Son Takes Bath in Cute Photos 11")
