Investigation and inquest
On 22nd July 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Antonio Jerome Allen dob 17th June 2013. The investigation concluded on the 18th June 2014 and the conclusion was one of Natural Causes. The medical cause of death was 1a Intra-abdominal Haemorrhage 1b Sub-capsular Haematoma (Liver and Spleen)
Circumstances of the death
On the 26th June 2013 at 07.40 hours, Antonio Allen was admitted to Trafford General Hospital in cardiac arrest with no respiratory effort and no palpable pulse. His mother had breast fed him at 01.00 hours and then found him unresponsive at 06.45 hours. Despite the best efforts of the ambulance and Emergency Department personnel, he could not be revived.
Coroner’s concerns
It had been arranged that this was to be a home birth and the midwives based at Lostock Medical Centre were aware of this. His expected date of delivery was the 15th June but in fact he was born on the 17th June.
The mother and grandmother of Antonio tried on four separate occasions to call out a midwife to attend the birth but in fact the delivery had to be carried out by the grandmother and a neighbour. Two midwives eventually arrived, checked the baby and said all was well although he was a bit ‘puffy’ because it was a ‘quick birth’.
IF A HOME BIRTH IS BOOKED AND EXPECTED OR INDEED OVERDUE, IT SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE THAT THE MIDWIVES ARE NOT CONTACTABLE, NOR THAT THEY ARRIVE AFTER THE BIRTH HAS OCCURRED.