Action on baby's hospital death

The parents of a baby boy who died after suffering brain damage during delivery are considering taking legal action against the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.Ellis Carrington was born by caesarean section on March 14 last year after a failed attempt at a forceps delivery.

An inquest heard he was also suffering from pneumonia. Today Mid and North Shropshire coroner Mr John Ellery recorded a narrative verdict.

He said: "We can focus on the forceps delivery because that's what killed him.

"Whether he may have died anyway from the pneumonia or hypoxia, from which he was also suffering, is speculation. It was the forceps delivery that was the direct cause of death."

Mr Ellery added that the procedures for passing patient information along the chain may also have been a contributory factor.

Ellis's parents, Natasha Hollinger and Darren Carrington, of Ryton Close, Meole Brace, issued a statement through their solicitor after the inquest.

It said: "It cannot be right that a routine maternity admission should lead to the death of an infant.

"While the inquest has gone some way to exposing the shortcomings of the hospital and individuals concerned, both Natasha and Darren maintain the view that the death of baby Elli was the result of mismanagement and could have been avoided had the correct practices and procedures been followed."

The inquest heard consultant obstetrician Dr Sharon Oates breached hospital guidelines as she made six attempts to deliver Ellis using forceps. The guidelines state no more than three attempts should be made as the risk of injury increases with each attempt.

Ellis was pale, floppy and unresponsive when he was born at 6.27pm. He was transferred to the neonatal unit but his condition continued to deteriorate and he later died.

Dr Oates voluntarily ceased acute obstetrics practice the following day.

A spokesman for the Hospital Trust apologised to the family and said lessons had been learned.

By Pam Griffin