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Social media account used to give birth undetected Walsall mum stole identity to try to keep baby
(about 1 hour 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. 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.
She gave using the details of another mother, who was due to give birth at a neighbouring trust's hospital. She gave birth using the details of another mother, who was booked in at a neighbouring trust's hospital.
The baby has now been removed. The hospital said the case was "very rare". Walsall Manor 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. The baby has since been removed from the mother.
Her GP had notes to show she was supposed to have given birth on 31 August. The incident only came to light when when the mother-to-be whose identity had been stolen attended a GP appointment while she was still pregnant.
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. Her GP had notes to show the woman had given birth on 31 August.
Child removed A document obtained by the BBC shows the woman who stole the identity referred herself to Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust while in labour.
The woman had previously had three children removed. Pregnancy records
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 woman had previously had three children removed from her, who had all been placed in the care of the local authority.
The hospital midwife phoned to confirm the pregnancy details with the other hospital. Checks were made against the other woman's identity. She provided the trust with all the details of her assumed identity and pregnancy.
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. The woman who stole the identity did not have her pregnancy records with her and told hospital staff they were instead with the community midwife.
Serious investigation The hospital midwife called the neighbouring hospital to confirm the pregnancy details and checks were made against the other woman's identity.
A document sent to Black Country Hospital bosses warns them of "dangers" that social networking sites can pose. The Walsall Healthcare Trust said that since that incident it had carried out an investigation into what happened.
The Walsall Healthcare Trust said the incident resulted in a serious investigation, and procedures for admission and discharge had been strengthened. It said it had now strengthened its procedures for admitting women in labour and later discharging them.
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. The trust said anyone turning up without their notes would need to have their identification formally confirmed by the hospital, social services and the police.
Richard Kirby, chief executive at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said it was a rare incident but hospitals had to be vigilant. Anyone who cannot get their identity confirmed may be prevented from being discharged from the hospital.
"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. Richard Kirby, the trust's chief executive, said: "The incident related to an identity theft by an individual using our maternity service. Although this is a very rare occurrence, the learning from this incident has been of value across the organisation."
Kat Tremlett from the UK Safer Internet Centre, said: "Pregnant women and new mums often use online forums to share experiences.
"You are talking to people you believe are going through the same experiences and perhaps you let down your guard a little.
"We would urge women to take the same precautions they would use on any other internet site."
Jo Walker, from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which campaigns on personal safety, said: "It's easy to think you know people you have met online and that they are your friends and and you can end up sharing a lot of information with them.
"But you have no idea if what they are saying is true and how they are going to use that information."