Luca Yates · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 14th July 2022, an inquest was opened into the death of Luca Yates who died at Tameside General Hospital, Ashton-under-Lyne on 24th January 2022 aged 1 day.

A post mortem examination determined Baby Luca died as a consequence of:-

1) a) Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy due to;

1) b) Asphyxia around the time of birth.

The investigation concluded with an inquest which I heard between 18th – 22nd September 2023 following which I recorded a Narrative Conclusion as follows:-

‘Luca Yates died as a consequence of complications arising from asphyxia around the time of birth. When his mother was assessed the evening before Luca was born, it was not recognised that she was either in, or transitioning towards established labour. This led to an absence of monitoring in hospital which contributed to death. Luca’s death was also contributed to by a period of 14 minutes in the resuscitation phase where the 100% oxygen was not utilised as required by protocol. Luca Yates’s death was contributed to by neglect’.

Baby Luca was his parents’ first child. After an uncomplicated pregnancy, his mother was booked for induction of labour at 41 weeks. On 22nd January 2022 following symptoms suggestive of the onset of labour, Baby Luca’s mother contacted her local maternity unit on a number of occasions and was assessed in the unit twice, before being sent home.

When Baby Luca’s mother re-presented the following day, it was recognised that she was in established labour, and it was considered birth may be imminent. Following transfer to the delivery suite, the CTG was connected which detected a fetal-bradycardia. Urgent assistance was summoned and the Obstetric Registrar on duty decided to deliver Luca by emergency caesarean section.

Following administration of general anaesthetic, Baby Luca was born at 16:19 on 23rd January 2022 in very poor condition with repeated Apgar scores of 0.

Attempts to resuscitate Luca proved difficult and it was not until 16:42 that the second paediatric registrar called to assist the multi-disciplinary team successfully passed an ET Tube. A heart rate was finally detected when Luca was around 38 minutes’ of age. Once stabilised, Baby Luca was transferred to the Neonatal Unit where he sadly died the following day.

The court heard evidence as to planned changes to paediatric specialist training which will result in a reduction in amount of time specialty trainees are required to spend gaining experience in Level 3 Neonatal units.

The following matters of concern arise from this:-

1) It is a matter of concern that paediatric middle grades may have reduced practical experience in resuscitation of neonates born in poor condition, that will increase the reliance on Consultants (who in some clinical settings may be non-resident on call depending when delivery takes place); and
2) It is a matter of concern that Consultant general paediatricians of the future will have a lower level of experience than is currently the case of complex neonatal resuscitation.