Nottinghamshire mum loses stillborn son after she was sent home

A baby boy was delivered stillborn after a mother whose waters had broken was wrongly sent home by midwives.

Hospital staff missed three chances to raise concerns over the health of Freddie Webster, an investigation has found.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has conducted a serious incident investigation report following the death of Freddie at King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

The investigation identified a number of ‘care and delivery problems’ and NHS bosses have drawn up an action plan in a bid to stop further incidents.

Freddie’s parents, Kayleigh Turton, 26, and Scott Webster, 29, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, near Mansfield, today told of their heartache. 

Freddie Webster was delivered stillborn after 26-year-old Kayleigh Turton’s waters broke and she was wrongly sent home by midwives

Kayleigh and her partner Scott Webster, 29, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, near Mansfield, today told of their heartache

Kayleigh and her partner Scott Webster, 29, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, near Mansfield, today told of their heartache

Kayleigh said: ‘As an expectant mother, you have faith in those treating you – they are the professionals – but I was scared and did not feel my concerns were listened to.

‘The pain of losing Freddie is indescribable and I’m not sure we’ll ever really come to terms with it.’

The serious incident investigation report blasts the care Kayleigh received. Freddie’s worsening condition should have been escalated to a consultant on a number of occasions throughout her labour. No attempts were ever made.

Kayleigh was due to be induced at 2pm on June 10 last year but her waters broke that morning. She was sent home after routine tests were undertaken only to be later re-admitted with suspected sepsis.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has conducted a serious incident investigation report following the death of Freddie at King's Mill Hospital (above) in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has conducted a serious incident investigation report following the death of Freddie at King’s Mill Hospital (above) in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

At 2am the next morning, tests showed baby Freddie’s heart rate was slowing down and not normal. And at 5.45am, tests highlighted further serious concerns about his heart rate. 

An emergency caesarean was ultimately performed but Freddie was born showing no signs of life.

The report found:

  • Medics failed to advise Kayleigh how ill she was and that her baby’s life was in danger;
  • Staff missed three chances to raise concerns about baby Freddie’s condition to a consultant who was on-call and should have been informed;
  • Hospital staff struggled to contact a paediatrician to try and resuscitate baby Freddie because consultants had swapped shifts and not informed switchboard operators;
  • When a less qualified registrar did arrive, she did not feel supported by her more senior colleagues.

The hospital has accepted that there were potential opportunities to deliver baby Freddie earlier.

Solicitor Laura Hopkinson, from Irwin Mitchell, the law firm representing Freddie’s parents, said: ‘Kayleigh and Scott have understandably been left devastated by the loss of baby Freddie. 

Staff missed three chances to raise concerns about baby Freddie's condition to a consultant who was on-call and should have been informed. (Above, prints of Freddie's feet)

Staff missed three chances to raise concerns about baby Freddie’s condition to a consultant who was on-call and should have been informed. (Above, prints of Freddie’s feet)

‘While nothing can ever make up for their loss, the couple hope that by admitting its mistakes, Sherwood Forest Hospitals will learn from this tragic case so no parents have to experience the suffering they have had to go through.

‘It is very important for Kayleigh and Scott that they are able to raise awareness of their tragic loss so serious lessons can be learnt.’

The hospital today apologised and said it would assist with any legal action.

Andy Haynes, Medical Director said: ‘Sherwood Forest Hospitals would like to sincerely apologise to Ms Turton once again.

‘We met with Ms Turton and her family after the investigation to apologise face-to-face, offer our sincere condolences and support for the loss of her son Freddie.

‘A full investigation has taken place and since this happened we have made a number of changes within our maternity services. For example we have reviewed practices around the monitoring of babies’ heart rates and clarified the process about how and when to escalate issues to senior colleagues.

‘The Trust will continue to assist fully in any ongoing legal proceedings in relation to this tragic incident.’

Kayleigh added: ‘Nothing could bring Freddie back or begin to make up for what happened but the hospital trust now needs to make sure it enforces the recommendations highlighted in the report to ensure nobody else has to suffer the feelings of anger, pain and loss we have.’ 



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