For her first delivery, Laura Bowtell chose to go to the Cheltenham Birth Centre, an NHS maternity hospital (the British public health system). After several hours of work,
the young mother felt something was wrongexplain The Mirror. With her instincts, Laura asks for an ambulance to be called for her and her little girl. A request that was never heard by the midwives present, Lisa Land and Hazel Williams.
Lisa, the midwife responsible for Laura's delivery, preferred to use alternative methodsthus using oils and changing the position of the little girl. But for her part, Laura insists, in vain. Until the midwives finally gave in and called an ambulance. Emergency services were unfortunately called too late and little Margot died a few days later from complications linked to a lack of oxygen.
The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch has launched an investigation
Following this tragedy, the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch conducted an independent investigation to understand the circumstances of the child's death and determine responsibility. And it turns out that several weeks before she gave birth,
Laura had suffered several complicationsincluding hemorrhage.
A situation which should have led to his immediate transfer to hospital. A transfer which would also have made it possible to save the child. However, Lisa Land, by minimizing the signs of distress felt by the young mother, delayed medical care for Laura and her daughter. On the other hand, during childbirth, blood was present in Laura's amniotic fluid, which also had a worrying body temperature. Additional signs that should have alerted the midwives.
Two dishonest midwives
In addition to the obvious negligence of the midwives present, the investigation revealed that the two women had falsified medical documents in order to cover yourself and minimize events as much as possible. An act which had serious consequences on the reputation of the maternity ward where they worked.
After receiving the HSIB report, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee concluded that the actions of Lisa Land and Hazel Williams were inconsistent with ethical and professional standards of their profession. The two women were thus removed.
