Newcastle hospital told woman whose unborn baby had died to go home and ‘book a slot to give birth’
Summary
Danielle Brown, from North Shields, said Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary sent her home after her unborn daughter, Maisie, died at about 29 weeks and told her to book a time to give birth. Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust admitted breaching its duty of care and said Maisie would have survived if Brown had not been discharged during an earlier hospital visit; it later paid an undisclosed settlement and apologized.Key Facts
- Brown was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication, in February 2023.
- A consultant advised that Brown remain in hospital until she gave birth, but a different consultant discharged her on 14 February.
- The next day, Brown returned to hospital after staff advised by phone that her symptoms were probably a stomach bug.
- A scan showed that Maisie had died at about 29 weeks of pregnancy.
- Brown said staff gave her a bereaved-parents booklet and told her to book a time to give birth on another day.
- The trust admitted a breach of duty and said Maisie would have survived if Brown had not been sent home during her first admission.
- The trust said it reviewed the case in 2023 and improved urgent assessments for women with unexpected symptoms or suspected complications.
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