This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-26519216
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Social media account used to give birth undetected | Social media account used to give birth undetected |
(35 minutes later) | |
A pregnant woman stole another woman's identity from a social networking site to try to stop her own baby from being removed from her care. | |
The mother, who has not been identified, was able to leave Walsall Manor Hospital with her newborn child in August 2013. | The mother, who has not been identified, was able to leave Walsall Manor Hospital with her newborn child in August 2013. |
She gave using the details of another mother, who was due to give birth at a neighbouring trust's hospital. | |
The baby has now been removed. The hospital said the case was "very rare". | |
The incident only came to light when when the genuine mother-to-be attended a GP appointment while she was still pregnant. | |
Her GP had notes to show she was supposed to have given birth on 31 August. | |
A document obtained by the BBC shows that the woman who stole the identity referred herself to Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, while in labour, and provided the trust will all the details of her assumed identity and pregnancy. | |
Child removed | Child removed |
The woman had previously had three children removed. | |
She did not have her hand-held records with her, as is usual practice, telling hospital staff that they were with the community midwife. | She did not have her hand-held records with her, as is usual practice, telling hospital staff that they were with the community midwife. |
The hospital midwife phoned to confirm the pregnancy details with the other hospital. Checks were made against the other woman's identity. | The hospital midwife phoned to confirm the pregnancy details with the other hospital. Checks were made against the other woman's identity. |
An investigation revealed that the fraudulent woman had previously delivered three children, all of whom had been removed and placed in the care of the local authority. The baby has now been removed from her care. | An investigation revealed that the fraudulent woman had previously delivered three children, all of whom had been removed and placed in the care of the local authority. The baby has now been removed from her care. |
Serious investigation | Serious investigation |
A document sent to Black Country Hospital bosses warns them of "dangers" that social networking sites can pose. | A document sent to Black Country Hospital bosses warns them of "dangers" that social networking sites can pose. |
The Walsall Healthcare Trust said the incident resulted in a serious investigation, and procedures for admission and discharge had been strengthened. | The Walsall Healthcare Trust said the incident resulted in a serious investigation, and procedures for admission and discharge had been strengthened. |
Health, social care and police services are now to insist on formal identification of anyone who turns up without their notes. A discharge may be delayed until identity is confirmed. | Health, social care and police services are now to insist on formal identification of anyone who turns up without their notes. A discharge may be delayed until identity is confirmed. |
Richard Kirby, chief executive at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said it was a rare incident but hospitals had to be vigilant. | Richard Kirby, chief executive at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said it was a rare incident but hospitals had to be vigilant. |
"The incident which related to an identity theft by an individual using our maternity service resulted in a serious incident investigation both internally and across a multi-agency network, he said in a letter. | "The incident which related to an identity theft by an individual using our maternity service resulted in a serious incident investigation both internally and across a multi-agency network, he said in a letter. |