Newcastle Trust Apologizes After 31-Year-Old Mother Was Sent Home Following Baby's Death
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Nov 2
Newcastle Trust Apologizes After 31-Year-Old Mother Was Sent Home Following Baby's Death
2 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Nov 2
Summary
Danielle Brown, 31, said hospital staff sent her home still carrying her baby after doctors found no heartbeat, telling her to call on Friday to book a slot to give birth.
Brown had returned to the maternity unit within 24 hours of an earlier discharge despite signs of pre-eclampsia, a life-threatening condition, and lawyers say the trust later admitted she should not have been sent home on either 14 or 15 February 2023.
Two days later, after 10 hours in labour, Brown gave birth to her stillborn daughter Maisie; she and partner Anthony Miller said leaving hospital past other parents with newborns deepened the trauma.
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust said care fell short, apologized, and said a 2023 review led to faster urgent assessments and escalation procedures for maternity complications.
NHS England called the failings unacceptable, while the couple are urging hospitals across the UK to provide separate exit routes for parents leaving after a baby's death.