Bridget Marie Connell-Graham · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 5th February 2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Bridget Marie Connell-Graham. The investigation concluded on the 20th August 2018 and the conclusion was one of Narrative: Died from the recognised consequences of premature birth the precise cause of which is unclear.

The medical cause of death was Extreme prematurity

On 1st February 2018 Bridget Marie Connell-Graham's mother went into premature labour at 20 weeks gestation at her home address████████ ████████ She was born at her parents address and subsequently transferred alive to Tameside General Hospital, on 1st February 2018 she died there from extreme prematurity.

The inquest heard that at a scan performed on 31st January 2018 after an attendance the previous day with an episode of bleeding Bridget’s mother was found to have a shortened cervix. On 1st February she was born prematurely.
A history of cervical trauma was contained within the maternal notes. The inquest heard that whilst there is guidance from NICE as to the appropriate action to be taken where there is a history of cervical trauma there is no clear definition of what amounts to cervical trauma. The inquest was told that this means there is an inconsistent approach nationally as to what will be treated as a history of cervical trauma and therefore in what steps are taken in relation to investigating a previous history of cervical trauma and planning clinical treatment during pregnancy.