Maternity unit 'delays' raised at baby inquest

Daisy McCoy suffered a brain injury in the womb and died 13 days after her birth

A coroner has raised concerns over "delays and staff communication" at an NHS after the death of a newborn baby.

Daisy McCoy was delivered by caesarean section at Yeovil District Hospital on 9 February 2022 after her mother reported feeling "reduced and unusual movement".

Deborah Archer, Area Coroner for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, told an inquest that Daisy died as a result of a brain injury in the womb, but there was a delay in her delivery "due to a combination of factors".

A Somerset NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said it extended its "sincere condolences" to Daisy's family, adding "we are already working hard to address the points raised".

After her birth, Daisy was moved to Southmead Hospital in Bristol and died in a children's hospice in Barnstaple on 22 February.

Ms Archer said: "Although the inquest determined an earlier delivery would not have made a difference to her survival, the delivery process raised a number of concerns."

She said there had been "a failure to communicate appropriately between staff" and "a lack of training on recognising the significance of abnormal foetal movements".

The inquest found there were multiple communication issues and the consultant involved, who was on-call from home, was not fully aware of staffing problems on the ward.

Daisy's parents were left on their own for about an hour with no action being taken, the hearing was also told.

A number of NHS staff held a protest at the closure of birthing services in May

The birthing service at Yeovil District hospital is currently closed following a Care Quality Commission report into children's services.

A prevention of future deaths report has been sent to Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

Ms Archer said: "I remain concerned about the prospect of Yeovil Maternity Unit reopening without matters being considered."

In a statement the Trust said: "We are already working hard to address the points raised, including improvements in training, managing escalation, promotion of appropriate professional challenge, communication and training, as well as ensuring our colleagues fully understand relevant policies and procedures."