A coroner reported that a baby who was just one day old died of pneumonia after his mother had to wait three days after her waters broke to see an obstetrician.
Aayam Chongbang was born via Caesarean section on August 2, 2022, at Medway Maritime Hospital in Kent, but she passed away the next day.
Coroner Catherine Wood noted that the hospital trust's ability to provide quality care was severely hampered by a lack of staff during an inquest into the man's death.
There were "missed opportunities" to observe Aayam's mother Shistree during labor, according to a lawyer for the family. For a response, the hospital has been contacted.
When her waters broke at 42 weeks, Ms. Chongbang, a clinician at the hospital, was discharged from the facility.
She returned the following day after spending three days in the hospital without consulting an obstetrician, the court was told.
Ms. Chongbang began to feel unwell on August 2 and her baby began to exhibit symptoms of an infection.
According to testimony given in court, midwives believed she had been seen by an obstetrician but a junior doctor prescribed antibiotics because no senior doctors were available.
Because his mother had tested positive for Covid, there were delays in getting Aayam to the special car baby unit after he was born with breathing problems.
The team's communication broke down in a severely overburdened service, according to Ms. Wood.
"It is evident that a significant portion of these issues were caused by a staffing shortage. ”.
A sooner delivery would have been beneficial, she continued. ”.
She stated that the Health Secretary would receive a report on the Prevention of Future Deaths from the Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which had been working to improve services.
The family's lawyer, Jenny Waight of Thomson Snell and Passmore, said: "Today's verdict highlights the numerous failings and missed opportunities for a doctor to examine Aayam's mother during labor and failure to hasten delivery. ".
The family of this tragic case has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of staff shortages.
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