Patient raises concerns over Walsall Manor Hospital Obstetric Department
04/11/2004
Thank you very much for the brilliant service, professionalism and caring attitude whilst handling my recent claim.
Vicki, Sheffield
Three families, who have suffered serious, untoward incidents within the Obstetric Department of Walsall Manor Hospital, have approached leading health law firm Alexander Harris. Two cases resulted in deaths and the other led to a baby having severe brain damage.
Louise Hunt, Partner at Alexander Harris said: "After reviewing the medical records of our clients, it has raised grave concerns about the conduct of staff during the monitoring of the pregnancies and the delivery of these babies. One of our clients has reported that she is aware of other serious incidents that occurred at the unit whilst she was there."
"The families have reported meeting others who have either lost children at the unit in recent months, or were unhappy with the treatment they received during pregnancy and/or childbirth. There is concern that there may be systems failures being experienced within the unit, which are putting the lives' of babies and mothers at risk. The families wanted to raise awareness to ensure that this situation is thoroughly investigated."
Notes to Editors:
One of our clients has spoken to the media about her experiences and has requested that all media enquiries should be directed to the media department at Alexander Harris solicitors on 08700 77 88 77 in the first instance.
Case Facts - Mrs Simms
Mrs Simms from Walsall was a high-risk patient undergoing a normal delivery following a previous caesarean.
From about 30 weeks Mrs Simms noticed tenderness of her previous caesarean scar. She reported this to her community midwife.
At about 32 weeks she started Braxton Hicks contractions. These were making her scar painful and she reported this to Walsall Manor.
She had severe pain over the scar at 40 weeks (23rd May) and was taken into hospital. She was seen by a doctor who said he would not intervene. She went home to care for her other four children.
She was readmitted at 40 weeks (25th May) as she had a burning sensation on passing water. She still had the painful scar. She went into labour and was contracting once every 3 minutes. She was complaining of a lot of pain over her scar. They broke her waters at about 9.30pm after which the contractions stopped and she suffered severe pain, which was her uterus rupturing. She was rushed to theatre.
Mrs Simms suffered a uterine rupture and the baby experienced oxygen deprivation resulting in brain damage. Mrs Simms is now extremely distressed. She recalls the staff within the unit being extremely "laid back" about her delivery and not listening to her complaints of scar pain.
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