Richard Baker represented the family at inquest into the death of Baby Wynter Sophia Andrews

Yesterday, Jeremy Hunt stated publicly that he urges Ministers to order an independent inquiry into Nottingham University Hospital Trust following the death of Baby Wynter Andrews, as well as Shrewsbury and East Kent.

Richard Baker is instructed on behalf of a large number of families who are affected by maternity issues at the NUH Trust. The Independent has also covered this today, now suggesting that the Trust might be prosecuted.

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Wynter’s mother, was admitted to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham on 14th September 2019, having been in labour for at least four and possibly six days. She underwent several examinations and consultations with midwives but despite needing a clinical review did not see an obstetrician she was misdiagnosed as being in latent labour despite clear signs that she was in active labour. A catalogue of errors followed with Sarah Andrews not receiving adequate monitoring, in part due to understaffing on the unit and midwives being occupied with other women in labour. She was eventually transferred to the Labour Suite on 15th September 2019 when a CTG trace was commenced. This was misinterpreted by an obstetrician and senior midwife several occasions after it became pathological and despite another midwife raising her concerns about it. Although a decision was eventually made to perform a caesarean section it was too late to deliver Wynter safely and she died shortly after she was born.

In the verdict on Wednesday, assistant coroner Laurinda Bower said Wynter would have survived if action had been taken sooner, criticising the units “unsafe culture” and warning that her death was not an isolated incident. The coroner said, “I am satisfied that neglect contributed to Wynter’s death.” and that the trust  “had failed to create an environment where professional challenge was promoted and encouraged”.