How messages between two dads helped expose the biggest NHS maternity scandal

Gary and Sarah Andrews’ daughter Winter died on September 15, 2019, 23 minutes after giving birth by caesarean section at Queen’s Medical Center after repeated warning signs that she was in distress were missed.

Winter died from lack of oxygen flow to the brain – which Examination It could have been prevented if her staff had delivered to her earlier.

Sarah, 41, was admitted to hospital on September 14, six days after her first contractions.

The inquest heard the maternity unit was “busy” and information about the patient’s history was not shared with other staff at shift changes.

The investigation found Winter could survive if “numerous missed opportunities” were identified.

In what has become a recurring theme of missed warning signs, the obituary cited a 2018 letter from midwives to trust bosses that described concerns about labor levels as “a risk factor”.

“The grim predictions … certainly came true 10 months later when Winter died of dangerous habits,” Coroner Laurinda Bower said.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) sued NUH over Winter’s death in January 2023, with the trust pleading guilty to failings in care.

Criminal charges NUH was fined £800,000.