This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/may/23/newborn-twins-hospital-overdose-death

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Newborn twins' hospital death avoidable, says mother Newborn twins' hospital death avoidable, says mother
(40 minutes later)
The mother whose newborn twins died following an overdose at a scandal-hit hospital has described their deaths as "totally avoidable" after a coroner said there were failings in their care. The mother whose newborn twins died following an overdose at hospital has described their deaths as "totally avoidable" after a coroner said there were failings in their care.
Alfie and Harry McQuillan, who were born 13 weeks premature, died on 1 November 2010. An inquest heard they had been given an "excessive" dose of morphine hours after their birth at Stafford hospital two days earlier.Alfie and Harry McQuillan, who were born 13 weeks premature, died on 1 November 2010. An inquest heard they had been given an "excessive" dose of morphine hours after their birth at Stafford hospital two days earlier.
Shoosmiths, the law firm representing the parents, said the South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh had described the babies' treatment after birth as "suboptimal", adding that "there were failings in the care the twins received". Shoosmiths, the law firm representing the parents, said the South Staffordshire coroner, Andrew Haigh, had described the babies' treatment after birth as "suboptimal", adding that "there were failings in the care the twins received".
A spokesman for the company said the coroner, who recorded a narrative verdict at Cannock coroner's court, said the boys died from complications of extreme prematurity and that morphine was "likely to have played a role".A spokesman for the company said the coroner, who recorded a narrative verdict at Cannock coroner's court, said the boys died from complications of extreme prematurity and that morphine was "likely to have played a role".
The twins' mother Ami Dean, 25, from Stafford, said: "I could have coped with them dying from prematurity, as that would have been nobody's fault. However, their deaths were totally avoidable. They were down to human error, which is something I cannot cope with." The twins' mother, Ami Dean, 25, from Stafford, said: "I could have coped with them dying from prematurity, as that would have been nobody's fault. However, their deaths were totally avoidable. They were down to human error, which is something I cannot cope with."
Maggie Oldham, chief operating officer at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Our deepest sympathy remains with Alfie and Harry's parents and their loved ones.Maggie Oldham, chief operating officer at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Our deepest sympathy remains with Alfie and Harry's parents and their loved ones.
"We are very sorry that the care we provided was not good enough."We are very sorry that the care we provided was not good enough.
"This has been a long and difficult process for their entire family and our thoughts remain with them at this time.""This has been a long and difficult process for their entire family and our thoughts remain with them at this time."
Richard Follis, national head of medical negligence at Shoosmiths, said: "It is important that the coroner has highlighted where failings lay in the care provided to Alfie and Harry.Richard Follis, national head of medical negligence at Shoosmiths, said: "It is important that the coroner has highlighted where failings lay in the care provided to Alfie and Harry.
"Despite being born prematurely, both boys were good weights and were stable prior to the morphine overdose."Despite being born prematurely, both boys were good weights and were stable prior to the morphine overdose.
"This would appear to be a tragic case of - as the coroner put it – suboptimal treatment that could easily have been avoided.""This would appear to be a tragic case of - as the coroner put it – suboptimal treatment that could easily have been avoided."