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Joshua Titcombe father speaks of 'huge relief' at ruling against midwives Joshua Titcombe father speaks of 'huge relief' at ruling against midwives
(35 minutes later)
The father of a baby boy who died nine days after birth has spoken of his relief at a ruling that two midwives failed in their duty to properly care for him.The father of a baby boy who died nine days after birth has spoken of his relief at a ruling that two midwives failed in their duty to properly care for him.
Joshua Titcombe died after suffering pneumococcal septicaemia and a lung haemorrhage.Joshua Titcombe died after suffering pneumococcal septicaemia and a lung haemorrhage.
Neither Lindsey Biggs nor Holly Parkinson referred matters to a paediatrician as they should have done when they found the baby had a low temperature while he was being cared for at Furness general hospital in Cumbria.Neither Lindsey Biggs nor Holly Parkinson referred matters to a paediatrician as they should have done when they found the baby had a low temperature while he was being cared for at Furness general hospital in Cumbria.
Related: NHS ombudsman delivers scathing verdict on Furness hospital trust
A fitness-to-practise hearing panel ruled their failings caused Joshua, who was born on 27 October 2008, to lose a significant chance of survival.A fitness-to-practise hearing panel ruled their failings caused Joshua, who was born on 27 October 2008, to lose a significant chance of survival.
His father James said he is relieved the family’s long fight for truth about what happened in the lead-up to Joshua’s death has been vindicated.His father James said he is relieved the family’s long fight for truth about what happened in the lead-up to Joshua’s death has been vindicated.
Titcombe and his wife, Hoa, from Dalton-in-Furness, have both claimed they repeatedly told hospital staff she felt unwell the day before giving birth and was concerned about catching an infection from her young daughter who had been sent home ill from nursery.Titcombe and his wife, Hoa, from Dalton-in-Furness, have both claimed they repeatedly told hospital staff she felt unwell the day before giving birth and was concerned about catching an infection from her young daughter who had been sent home ill from nursery.
An inquest in 2011 heard that midwives repeatedly missed chances to spot and treat a serious infection that led to Joshua’s death.An inquest in 2011 heard that midwives repeatedly missed chances to spot and treat a serious infection that led to Joshua’s death.
Titcombe said his relief at Tuesday’s finding is coupled with sadness at the loss of their son.Titcombe said his relief at Tuesday’s finding is coupled with sadness at the loss of their son.
He said: “Obviously I’m deeply sad. “To see these words on paper has a huge meaning for us. It’s about not having a little boy with us who would be seven years old. He said: “Obviously I’m deeply sad. To see these words on paper has a huge meaning for us. It’s about not having a little boy with us who would be seven years old.
“But it is a relief that the truth has finally been proven. We have faced years and years of denial and have not felt that any of the midwives involved have ever accepted any responsibility for what happened.”“But it is a relief that the truth has finally been proven. We have faced years and years of denial and have not felt that any of the midwives involved have ever accepted any responsibility for what happened.”
Titcombe said the denial of wrongdoing had added to the family’s pain and grief.Titcombe said the denial of wrongdoing had added to the family’s pain and grief.
He said: “If we had been told the truth to start with then the last seven years would have been much easier for us, we wouldn’t have wanted any action or blame against the midwives.He said: “If we had been told the truth to start with then the last seven years would have been much easier for us, we wouldn’t have wanted any action or blame against the midwives.
“It is the denial that has been so hurtful. It’s a huge relief to our family that the truth has finally been established.”“It is the denial that has been so hurtful. It’s a huge relief to our family that the truth has finally been established.”
The case at a hearing of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in London was told the midwives’ failings meant Joshua, referred to as baby A, did not have the chance to be seen by a doctor who might have been able to treat him shortly before his death.The case at a hearing of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in London was told the midwives’ failings meant Joshua, referred to as baby A, did not have the chance to be seen by a doctor who might have been able to treat him shortly before his death.
Panel chairman Stuart Gray said both women had been “guarded” in giving their evidence and at times appeared to have “distanced” and “detached” themselves from the events of the day. Panel chair Stuart Gray said both women had been “guarded” in giving their evidence and at times appeared to have “distanced” and “detached” themselves from the events of the day.
Biggs, the panel concluded, failed to make sure three-hourly observations were conducted on the newborn, failed to get a paediatrician when she saw he had a low temperature and failed to properly record notes on his mother, who was also being cared for at the hospital.Biggs, the panel concluded, failed to make sure three-hourly observations were conducted on the newborn, failed to get a paediatrician when she saw he had a low temperature and failed to properly record notes on his mother, who was also being cared for at the hospital.
Parkinson also failed to get a doctor when she recorded Joshua’s low temperature. She had already admitted failing to document the paediatrician’s advice that observations should be carried out.Parkinson also failed to get a doctor when she recorded Joshua’s low temperature. She had already admitted failing to document the paediatrician’s advice that observations should be carried out.
Their failures after seeing Joshua’s low temperature “denied baby A any opportunity to be seen, assessed and treated by a paediatrician”, Gray said. He added: “This was the significant chance for baby A that was lost.”Their failures after seeing Joshua’s low temperature “denied baby A any opportunity to be seen, assessed and treated by a paediatrician”, Gray said. He added: “This was the significant chance for baby A that was lost.”
An inquiry led by Dr Bill Kirkup into the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS foundation trust, which runs Furness general hospital, found last year that a “lethal mix” of failures led to the unnecessary deaths of 11 babies and one mother between 2004 and 2013. An inquiry led by Dr Bill Kirkup into the university hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS foundation trust, which runs Furness general hospital, found last year that a “lethal mix” of failures led to the unnecessary deaths of 11 babies and one mother between 2004 and 2013.
Ms Biggs was dismissed from the hospital earlier this year following a separate “serious clinical incident”. Biggs was dismissed from the hospital earlier this year following a separate “serious clinical incident”.
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust launched an investigation after the death of a baby in February. In dismissing the midwife the trust concluded her conduct “fell fundamentally below our acceptable standards”. The trust launched an investigation after the death of a baby in February. In dismissing the midwife the trust concluded her conduct “fell fundamentally below our acceptable standards”.
Earlier hearings in relation to Joshua’s death cleared two other midwives, Gretta Dixon and Catherine McCullough, of any wrongdoing. Another midwife, Marie Ratcliffe, was struck off late last year in relation to the case.Earlier hearings in relation to Joshua’s death cleared two other midwives, Gretta Dixon and Catherine McCullough, of any wrongdoing. Another midwife, Marie Ratcliffe, was struck off late last year in relation to the case.
A sixth, Joanne Watts, is scheduled for a hearing expected to take place later this year, and a seventh midwife, who has not been named, is currently being investigated.A sixth, Joanne Watts, is scheduled for a hearing expected to take place later this year, and a seventh midwife, who has not been named, is currently being investigated.