A Fatal Accident Inquiry, which was carried out in respect of the deaths of three newborn babies at Lanarkshire hospitals between 2019 and 2021, has delivered a sobering verdict. Leo Lamont, Ellie McCormick, and Mira-Belle Bosch all died within hours of their births at the hospitals. The Inquiry, chaired by Sheriff Principal Aisha Anwar KC, concluded that each death could have been prevented through the implementation of reasonable precautions. The findings also identified multiple individual and systemic failures in maternity care.
At Calio Claims, we are here to support families affected by such tragedies, offering compassionate guidance and clear legal advice during the most difficult of times. Speak to our team today by calling 0800 988 8082 or completing our online enquiry form.
Legal Findings and Systemic Defects
The inquiry found that:
- Midwives lacked guidance to assess the signs of pre-term labour.
- There was no effective system in place to highlight the dangers in high-risk pregnancies.
- Ambulance crews did not have direct telephone access to maternity units.
- Electronic patient records failed to alert staff to potentially critical information.
These failures were found to have caused delayed hospital admissions, missed diagnoses, and ultimately, the tragic deaths of the three infants. The inquiry made 11 recommendations, including improvements to communication protocols between maternity units and emergency services, and the creation of a “trigger list” for early labour symptoms.
Case Summaries
- Leo Lamont died at University Hospital Monklands shortly after his mother gave birth at home. His family had called the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow, as his mother was experiencing severe back pain at 27 weeks. However, she was advised to take painkillers rather than attend the hospital and gave birth on her bathroom floor at home. By the time the ambulance crew arrived, her son was blue, and Sheriff Anwar found that the death could have been avoided had Leo’s mother been told to go to the hospital.
- Ellie McCormick died of oxygen deprivation around five hours after her birth via emergency caesarean at Wishaw General Hospital. Her mother had called the hospital earlier in the day reporting that she was experiencing contractions, and she was told to simply take painkillers and to call back later. Experts advised that had Ellie’s mother been advised to come in at the time of her first call to the hospital, the baby would have likely survived.
- Mira-Belle Bosch died 12 hours after birth due to a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen during labour. Her mother had called Wishaw General as her waters had broken, and she was suffering contractions more than 24 hours earlier. After attending the hospital, she was subsequently discharged. She then called the following day and was told to remain at home, only to give birth that evening. It was found that staff were too reliant on guidance from NHS Lanarkshire to wait 47 hours after waters had broken before inducing labour, and there were five calls from paramedics to the hospital that went unanswered.
Clinical negligence
For legal professionals, particularly those working in personal injury and clinical negligence, the inquiry highlighted several key issues:
- Breach of duty and Causation: The inquiry’s findings support claims that medical staff failed to meet the standard of care expected when dealing with high-risk pregnancies.
- Systemic liability: The failures identified were indicative of institutional shortcomings, and so this could form the basis for separate legal claims against the health boards involved.
- Expert evidence: These cases underscore the importance of instructing specialist experts to establish liability and causation.
Supporting families and driving reform
The families involved described the experience as a “catalogue of errors” and expressed hope that the inquiry’s recommendations will be implemented.
Contact Calio Claims
The loss of a child due to failures in maternity care is devastating, and no family should face such a tragedy alone. At Calio Claims, we are here to offer compassionate support and clear legal advice to families who have been affected by systemic or individual medical failings.
If you have concerns about the care you or your child received, we can guide you through your options and help you understand whether a clinical negligence claim may be possible. Speak to our dedicated team in confidence by calling 0800 988 8082 or completing our online enquiry form. We are here to listen, support, and stand beside you during this difficult time.
