Leicester: Couple whose baby was stillborn 'angry' at failings

Chloe Ashton and John Watkins lost their baby, Jaxxyn-John Ashton-Watkins, in September 2021

A mother whose baby was stillborn at home has said she is "angry" after an independent report identified failings in her son's care.

Jaxxyn-John Ashton-Watkins died at the home of Chloe Ashton and John Watkins in Leicester on 13 September 2021.

Now an independent report has found multiple failings in the baby's care.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and East Midlands Ambulance Service have offered to meet the parents, who have started legal action.

The independent report, commissioned by a Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) team, found there were a number of failings in the care of Jaxxyn-John before his death.

Miss Ashton, who is currently 32 weeks pregnant, said she was "scared and nervous" following her previous experience.

"I've got no words to say what's actually happened," she told the BBC.

"I'm struggling as it is. I'm angry. When someone speaks to me about it, I close up. I get emotional."

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has offered to meet Chloe Ashton and John Watkins

Miss Ashton's pregnancy with Jaxxyn-John had gone smoothly until 38 weeks, when she complained of swollen ankles and that she could barely walk during an antenatal appointment.

She was assessed and booked in for an ultrasound scan, but the report found the scan was not booked within the recommended 72 hours after the complaint, and the family were not told when it would take place.

Days later, on 12 September, the couple called an ambulance after Miss Ashton experienced acute back pain, contractions, and other signs of labour.

Paramedics arrived but "failed to carry out a proper, structured assessment of Miss Ashton", according to lawyers representing the family.

The report found the paramedics also bypassed the dedicated maternity triage line, because they had other direct numbers for maternity services.

Lawyers for the family said paramedics chose to speak to the medical assessment unit and relied on their advice for Miss Ashton to stay at home.

The next day, on 13 September, Mr Watkins contacted the maternity unit after Miss Ashton continued to be in pain, but an administration worker picked up the call and it was not escalated.

He called again more than two hours later, and was advised to call an ambulance, but by the time paramedics arrived, Jaxxyn-John was crowning and was born with no signs of life.

Miss Ashton and Jaxxyn-John were taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he was pronounced dead.

Solicitor Gemma Lewis said maternity problems were "not isolated to Leicester"

The couple are now backing calls for a national public inquiry into maternity services across the UK.

It comes after a number of maternity units across the region have come under increased scrutiny.

Senior midwife, Donna Ockenden, is examining how dozens of babies died or were injured at the Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) trust, after finishing a similar investigation into Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust in 2022.

Safety at maternity units at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital were rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2023.

Maternity services in Derby and Burton-upon-Trent were also rated inadequate by inspectors last year.

Mr Watkins said: "People need to know that they can speak up about it.

"We're obviously not the only people. It's countrywide and people who are going through it can speak up about it."

Gemma Lewis, who is representing the family for Moosa-Duke Solicitors, said: "The problems that Chloe and John are talking about are not isolated to Leicester.

"So that we can get a clear consistent and induction understanding of these problems and the reasons for them, there must be a national public inquiry."

'Heartfelt condolences'

Chief nurse Julie Hogg, from the hospital trust, said it had already made changes to maternity practices following Jaxxyn-John's death.

"Since 2018, cases such as Jaxxyn-John's have been automatically reported to the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations team for an independent investigation and report," she said.

"We took this report and its findings incredibly seriously and have used the learning to drive further improvements for women and birthing people, including making changes to our ultrasound scanning and triage systems."

Susannah Ashton, divisional director for Leicestershire at East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the parents and family of Jaxxyn-John at what continues to be an incredibly difficult time.

"We are always willing to meet with families and I extend an invitation to Jaxxyn-John's parents to be in touch with us, at their convenience. I would invite them to please contact our patient experience team."