Cornwall baby born in toilet 'would have survived'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-35551609

Version 0 of 1.

A baby who died after his birth in a toilet "would have survived" in hospital, an inquest heard.

Hayley Jermyn, the mother of Charlie, was told to go home while in labour after waiting five hours at the Royal Cornwall hospital last May.

She later gave birth at home in Penryn, Cornwall, before Charlie died from sepsis in hospital the next day.

Prof Peter Fleming told the Truro inquest there were several failings that led to his death.

Charlie's breathing before he died was "like a goat" grunting, Mrs Jermyn. told the hearing.

Prof Fleming said that if Charlie had been in hospital when he started grunting he would have been examined by a member of staff.

'System failure'

Earlier, expert witness Dr James Gray also told the inquest he believed Charlie would probably have survived if he'd been sent to hospital early enough to receive antibiotic treatment.

The inquest at Truro City Hall had heard grunting in newborn babies is a red flag indicator of sepsis.

Consultant midwife Julie Frohlich told the inquest several parts of the care Charlie and his parents received was inadequate.

She described the delay in seeing Mrs Jermyn at hospital as a "system failure", as well as the "failure to recognise that Mrs Jermyn was in labour" .

However, midwife Jo Bennett told the inquest she visited and checked Charlie shortly after he was born and he appeared to be well.

Ms Bennett said: "I thought it was feed related."

The inquest continues.