Newcastle hospital that told grieving mother to book a slot to give birth admits her baby would have survived

Danielle Brown, 31, a barista from North Shields, was discharged from Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle in February 2023 despite a consultant having advised she must stay until she gave birth. When she phoned the next day with fresh concerns, staff dismissed her worries as a stomach bug. Returning to hospital, she waited 90 minutes before doctors told her they could not find Maisie's heartbeat.

Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust conceded a breach of duty and accepted that Maisie, who died at around 29 weeks, would have survived had Danielle not been discharged.

Partner Anthony Miller, 34, described lying in bed holding Danielle's belly knowing their baby was no longer alive as 'horrible'.

The trust has paid Danielle and Anthony an undisclosed settlement and offered a 'heartfelt apology', admitting 'aspects of the care we provided fell short'.

The GuardianNewcastle hospital told woman whose unborn baby had died to go home and ‘book a slot to give birth’BBC News - UKMother told to book appointment to give birth to baby who had died The TelegraphNHS told mother to book appointment to deliver baby who had died The IndependentNHS told first-time mother to book appointment to give birth to her dead baby Coventry TelegraphMum told to book slot to give birth to dead baby after hospital sent her home - Coventry Telegraph

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