Isle of Wight Hospital trust admits failings after mother loses baby

St Mary's Hospital is the main base for delivering care to islanders.

A hospital trust has admitted failings after a mother lost her baby, after she twice complained of reduced movement in her womb.

Helen Brotherton, from Newport on the Isle of Wight, visited St Mary's Hospital in June 2020, where she raised concerns about the reduced movement of her baby.

On her second visit, Mrs Brotherton, who was full term with her first child was induced. Her son, Troy, was delivered stillborn.

She had first raised concerns at a routine midwife appointment just days earlier on June 3rd.

Now, with husband, Ed, 36, the couple have instructed Irwin Mitchell solicitors to investigate the care provided by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

A spokesman for the firm said the trust had admitted a breach of duty.

He said: "It admitted that doctors should have offered an induction of labour to Helen on 5 June. If the trust had, on the balance of probabilities, Troy would not have been stillborn, it added."

Isle of Wight NHS Trust delivers care to around 140,000 islanders.

Mrs Brotherton, a baby room manager, said: "We were overjoyed by the prospect of being parents. It was something we had always wanted, and because of certain personal health issues, felt incredibly lucky to be expecting Troy.

"I was really worried that Troy's movements had started to reduce. However, at no stage did it feel like staff seemed concerned.

"I tried not to fear the worst and stay positive but it was heartbreaking when we were told that we had lost Troy.

"Ed and I got to spend some time with him in hospital but it wasn't enough. Having to leave Troy knowing we wouldn't be able to bring him home to start our new lives together is something I don't think we'll ever get over."

The Trust has now made changes to its maternity care.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust said in a statement: "We are truly sorry for the failings that led to Troy's death.

"Nothing we can say can take away the pain felt by his family, but we have worked closely with them to ensure that lessons have been learned from this tragedy.

"We can confirm that we have made changes and have now implemented the latest national Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle and have changed our practices accordingly."