Hospital in big payout over blunder on baby

A couple have won a five-figure payout from the trust that manages Stafford Hospital after doctors failed to remove a tube inserted to help their newborn baby breathe.

Baby Owen Thomas coughed up the six-inch tube more than a week later. His parents, Kev and Clare Thomas of New Hall Street, Cannock, have won a claim of clinical negligence against the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. Owen had the endotracheal tube inserted after he was born in February 2007 because he was not breathing.

One of his shoulders had become stuck during the birth – something referred to as shoulder dystocia.

Medical staff did not remove the tube and the baby later coughed it up in front of his horrified mother. She said she believes Owen would have died if she had not been there.

Owen – who turns five next February – was not affected long-term by the incident.

Colin Ovington, director of nursing & midwifery at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We can confirm that this case has been settled."

Read the full story in the Express & Star.