baby Dominic Smith · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On the 20th June 2016 I commenced an investigation into the death of baby Dominic Smith.

The deceased’s mother had been in the latent phase of labour for approximately 4 days. At inquest I found that she had suffered a pre-labour rupture of membranes (hind waters) on or around the 28th May 2015. She was admitted to the birthing centre on the 1st June. Over the course of the night the CTG trace showed that the baby was in distress and the decision was taken to move the mother of the area for a trial of forceps delivery with a view to doing a Caesarean section if necessary. Instrumental delivery was successful and baby was born on the 2nd June 2015 at 04:11. He was in good condition with APGARS of 9/9/9.

At 09:00 on the 2nd June baby had a ‘dusky episode’. Neonatal observations were not commenced and he was not referred to the paediatrician. By early evening baby was sleepy and reluctant to feed. He was settled into his cot and that mother and baby fell asleep. Mother awoke at around 21:00 and noted that baby’s hand was cold. He appeared to be fast asleep at this point. At 21:40 the night HCA attended mother and immediately noted that baby was cold and blue. She called for help from a more senior HCA who raised the alarm, picked baby up and ran with him towards the resuscitation area. BLS was commenced by the Midwives and a ‘crash call’ put out. The crash team arrived promptly and ALS commenced. Resuscitation was unsuccessful and the fact of baby’s death was confirmed at 22:11 on the 2nd June 2105.

The cause of death following post mortem was 1a) Pneumonia.

Conclusion at inquest:

Narrative with a rider of Neglect:

The deceased died at the Royal Oldham Hospital at approximately 18 hours of life (date and time of birth 04:11 on the 2nd June 2015).

Staff did not recognise or identify pre-labour rupture of hind water membranes (PROM) in his mother, treatment was not instigated and protocols/guidance were not followed.

Maternal observations were not conducted post-delivery, despite a raise in the mother’s temperature at or around the time of baby's birth.

The evidence demonstrated that infection could pass during the course of delivery from mother to baby. Subsequent tests on the mother showed Enterococcal (urine) infection but were negative to Group B Streptococcus (GBS).

When Baby Smith showed notable signs of deterioration at around 09:00 on the 2nd June 2015, neonatal observations were not commenced and he was not escalated to a paediatrician or neonatologist for review.

Timely antibiotic therapy was not instigated.

Baby Smith was found collapsed in his cot at 21:40 on the 2nd June. Basic and advanced life support were commenced but proved unsuccessful. Treatment was withdrawn and the fact of baby's death was confirmed at 22:11.

Neglect more than minimally contributed to Baby Smith’s death.

The Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigation identified a number of other failings that were not causally linked to baby's demise.

Department of Health, NIHCE and the Royal Colleges:

1. I previously completed a PFD 13 month ago in relation to a neonatal GBS death. At that time I raised the following concerns:

- That antenatal screening for GBS was not being routinely offered by the NHS to all pregnant women during the final weeks of pregnancy,

- That prophylaxis intrapartum antibiotics were not routinely offered to all women who test positive for GBS (or have done so in the past)

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- That given the seriousness of the illness, in the absence of a national screening and prophylactic treatment programme, babies were potentially being put at risk of harm/death.

During the course of the inquest into Baby Smith’s death the evidence suggested that no further action has been taken in this regard, despite the responses received in relation to the last PFD action.

I therefore raise the issues again as a concern.

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust:

1. During the course of the inquest into Baby Smith’s death, the following concerns arose:

- Inadequate communication, handover and record keeping;

- Staff did not follow the Trust’s protocols/guidance and did not document their rationale where they exercised clinical discretion;

- Midwives did not carry out a speculum examination, on two separate occasions, in order to establish whether there had been a rupture of membranes. The time between rupture and delivery was, more likely than not, miscalculated as a result of this;

- Early warning scores were i) miscalculated, ii) not acted upon;

- Neonatal observations were not carried out when it became apparent that there had been a material change in baby’s condition. Signs and symptoms relating to the deterioration were also missed;

- Maternal observations were not carried out after delivery, despite a spike in temperature;

- Midwives did not escalate to or consult with the Obstetrician/Paediatrician/Neonatologist

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- Inadequate preceptorship for newly qualified (and particularly part-time) Midwives.