Grieving Parents Sue Hospital After Death of Baby Boy

A WA couple have launched legal action against a local hospital following the death of their baby boy.

The parents, who do not want to reveal their identity, went to Northam Hospital on June 18, 2015, with concerns the baby wasn’t moving.

Just over an hour later, the mother, who had not been seen by a doctor, was discharged after being reassured the baby was fine.

“We were told that sometimes babies have good days and bad days … looks like our baby is just having a bad day,” she said.

Three days later, she returned to the emergency department at 2pm and said she still had not felt her baby move.

At 3.20pm, she was told her baby had no heartbeat.

“We were failed, and unfortunately because of that we had to cremate our son.”

“The evidence that we’ve got suggests the death was completely preventable had appropriate care been carried out by the hospital,” medical law expert, Clare Eves, told 9News.

“We can’t say if there is anyone else out there that has been failed by that hospital, we wouldn’t want that to ever happen again,” the mother said.

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31 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 12 May 2023
    12:26 pm
Heart breaking. I wish there was an update to this story.

- - becstalou said
  - 04 Aug 2019
    6:02 am
So sad, sounds like there definitely needs to be more education for the staff at the hospital.

- - ella12 said
  - 26 Jul 2019
    4:51 pm
They should sue the hospital. I feel so sad for them, what a tragic story.

- - CaraW said
  - 22 Jul 2019
    8:26 am
So sad.. My heart goes out to this family.. Hopefully this story will make hospitals think twice before turning patients away.

- - skbou said
  - 19 Jul 2019
    8:38 pm
So sad for the family. Such a tragic loss of life. Too often you hear of the patient not being listened to, I understand they get all types in there but surely simple tests would prevent something so devastating.

- - DaffyD said
  - 19 Jul 2019
    8:24 am
Such as tragic story that was so easily preventable. When will medical staff start listening to parents more. We know our children best

- - Blossom said
  - 18 Jul 2019
    8:20 pm
Had they checked her thoroughly the first time things might have changed for the better. Personally I would have returned to hospital again the next day and refused to leave until tests had been done and I had seen a Dr. Alternately if an After Hours Doctor Service was available I would have called them.

- - mom146810 said
  - 18 Jul 2019
    1:49 pm
I felt the same with my newborn, No baby movements and I went to the hospital, they did CTG and were not happy with the baby movements and asked me to stay overnight and then booked my detailed scan, Luckily it was the day when baby was a bit lazy but I am really happy with the care the hospital provided.

- - tessie said
  - 18 Jul 2019
    12:59 pm
I’m so sorry for their loss and I hope they win their case. Even if they thought she was overreacting a doctor should still have seen her and checked for a heartbeat. If no doctor was available she should have been kept in over night to keep an eye on everything.

- - rovermum said
  - 18 Jul 2019
    11:49 am
I really feel for this couple. My sister delivered a stillborn baby girl and I still clearly remember 24 years on the shock and horror and devastation felt by everyone. Such a tragedy. And I can understand they want answers and someone to pay.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 18 Jul 2019
    10:44 am
That’s awful! I hope they have a win. It won’t bring their baby back but it may prevent it from happening again.

- - musicmum said
  - 18 Jul 2019
    2:12 am
Tragic, goes to show you should always go for a second or third opinion if you feel it is not right.

- - rachelvk said
  - 17 Jul 2019
    9:49 pm
What a tragic and stressful situation.

- - nealsq said
  - 17 Jul 2019
    8:12 pm
She should have been put on a CTG machine and monitored and if not a CTG then she should have had an ultrasound. I would sue too, that is disgusting!

- - mom152736 said
  - 17 Jul 2019
    10:49 am
That’s so sad! such a loss to the family!

- - nadine_hill said
  - 17 Jul 2019
    9:56 am
So heartbreaking! I cannot believe she wasn’t seen by a doctor!

- - Ellen said
  - 17 Jul 2019
    8:24 am
Very sad.

- - mom93821 said
  - 17 Jul 2019
    6:45 am
A heartbreaking and tragic loss for this family.

- - mom290396 said
  - 16 Jul 2019
    11:00 pm
I wouldn’t have left the hospital until I had been seen! When I called the hospital saying my baby wasn’t moving as much as usual (I was over due), they insisted that I come in and they did a full check on the baby, even though I said she was back to normal. They induced me the next day. It’s heartbreaking that the hospital dismissed her! Regardless of what’s going on or how busy or understaffed they may have been. This hospital failed her and her baby!

- - mom265671 said
  - 16 Jul 2019
    10:24 pm
Totally wrong, she should’ve been checked more thoroughly