Newborn baby died after 14 hours due to ‘total and complete’ NHS failures

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A baby died after just 14 hours due to repeated, ‘total and complete’ NHS failures, an inquest has found.

Zachary Taylor-Smith’s death could have been prevented had his mother, nurse Hannah Taylor-Smith, 33, been given antibiotics, a hospital trust admitted.

Newborn baby died

Zachary Taylor-Smith was born at Royal Derby Hospital at 36 weeks in November 2022 after his mum, Mrs. Taylor-Smith was induced because of recurrent asthma attacks. However, due to preventable failures at the hospital, he lived for just 14 hours.

The hospital trust admitted that Zachary’s death could have been prevented if Mrs Taylor-Smith had been given antibiotics.

According to reports, Zachary was initially born in a healthy condition, but soon became unwell, suffering a low temperature and poor feeding. His mother and father, blind-fitter Tim, 39, said they were not listened to when they alerted hospital staff to Zachary’s deterioration.

‘Basic’ and ‘obvious’ errors were made while records were misplaced, a doctor forgot to review and handover Zachary, obvious signs of an unwell baby were missed, charts were not completed, and the pathway designed to ensure ill babies are escalated was not followed – not once but repeatedly, the inquest heard.

Zachary should have been reviewed by a neo-natal doctor at birth and urgently on at least five occasions but was finally only seen when the couple pressed the crash bell themselves but by then it was ‘too late to save him, the inquest also found.

Mrs Taylor-Smith told the hearing: ‘My world is full of darkness now. None of this will never make sense.’

At Chesterfield Coroner’s Court yesterday, coroner Susan Evans said there were multiple ‘missed opportunities’ to refer Zachary to a neo-natal team that, on the balance of probabilities, would have prevented his death.

The coroner said there were ‘total and complete failures’ relating to the provision of basic care, and ‘gross failings’ relating to the fundamental requirements of patient care.

Mrs Evans, who ruled neglect contributed to his death, confirmed she would be writing a prevention of future deaths report over Zachary’s death.

In a statement his parents said their son – their fifth child – was “perfect in every way” adding: “There is no pain like watching your child pass away and being totally helpless to stop it.”

The couple, from Lichfield, Staffordshire, are joining a nationwide campaign calling for a national inquiry into maternity services following scandals at hospitals around the country.

Royal Derby Hospital’s maternity services were downgraded to ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission in November.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB), which runs the hospital, said changes have been implemented to improve services.

Garry Marsh, executive chief nurse at the trust, said: ‘The loss of a baby is devastating and we are sincerely and deeply sorry for the failings in Zachary’s care, which we fully accept.

‘We should have provided antibiotics and responded differently to changes in Zachary’s condition and we have been determined to put changes in place.’

Clinical Negligence – Maternity failings

If you or your child has suffered an injury or a fatality due to negligent maternity care you may be entitled to claim compensation for the damages.

Oakwood Solicitors Ltd’s specialist Medical Negligence department has an in-house team of solicitors and legal professionals dedicated solely to this area of law.

With over 24 years of combined experience, we are dedicated to assisting clients who have suffered physically, mentally, and financially as a result of negligent medical treatment.

Our specialist team pursues an array of medical negligence claims ranging from prescription errors and misdiagnosis to complex birthing injury and spinal claims and everything else in between.

Newborn baby died after 14 hours due to ‘total and complete’ NHS failures

A baby died after just 14 hours due to repeated, ‘total and complete’ NHS failures, an inquest has found.

Clinical Negligence – Maternity failings

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