Payout and apology after death of baby
A couple whose baby son died following delays in his delivery have been given an apology and five-figure payout by a hospital trust, lawyers said today.
Cayden Follows died just days after his first birthday. Delays in his birth at Walsall Manor Hospital in May 2009 are said to have caused brain damage. Lawyers acting for his mother and father said Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has admitted the delays ultimately led to his death and the care afforded to Cayden fell below a reasonable standard.
An apology and payout have now been issued to his mother Faye Lawrence and partner Luke Follows, aged 27, of Willenhall.
Medical evidence commissioned by lawyers Irwin Mitchell found if Cayden had been born half an hour earlier he would not have suffered brain damage.
Miss Lawrence, aged 26, said today: "Cayden's birth and the year that followed as we cared for him were very difficult and placed a massive strain on all the family.
"It was so hard knowing something wasn't right and having to wait around during his birth, then we were devastated when we found out about his injuries and even more heartbroken to lose him just one year later. I'm relieved that the NHS Trust has now apologised."
Problems began at 6pm on May 9, 2009 when there were signs of distress from the unborn baby. But there was a series of delays before Cayden was finally delivered by Caesarean section at 12.29am on May 10. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and a lack of oxygen led to cerebral palsy, lawyers say.
Emma Rush, of Irwin Mitchell, said: "We welcome the fact that the trust has apologised and sought to reassure the family that improvements have been made to prevent further mistakes in future but it can never change the fact that this couple and Cayden were let down." Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust was unavailable for comment.
