The tragic deaths of two newborns, Jasper White and Margot Bowtell, at Cheltenham Birth Centre have brought to light the devastating consequences of clinical negligence in maternity care. Hazel Williams and Lisa Land, the midwives responsible for the failures, have been struck off the nursing register following a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) investigation. These cases serve as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of vigilance, swift action, and adherence to professional standards in healthcare.
At Oliver & Co, we recognise the profound impact such negligence can have on families, and we are committed to supporting those seeking justice and compensation for preventable harm.
Understanding the Failures: Grounds for a Clinical Negligence Claim
Both cases involved serious breaches in the standard of care expected of healthcare professionals, highlighting critical failings that are often grounds for a clinical negligence claim:
- Failure to Escalate Care:
- Jasper White experienced severe health issues minutes after birth. However, a 50-minute delay in transferring him to a neonatal unit likely contributed to his untimely death 11 hours later.
- In Margot Bowtell’s case, her mother presented with blood-stained amniotic fluid during labour – a known warning sign of foetal distress. Despite this, Hazel Williams ignored repeated requests for an ambulance, delaying her transfer to an appropriately equipped hospital.
- Falsification of Medical Records:
- Following Jasper’s death, Ms. Williams instructed Ms. Land to change notes describing Jasper’s condition from “poor” to “good.” She also added entries posthumously, actions that not only undermine trust but may also complicate the path to justice.
- Lack of Emergency Facilities:
- The Cheltenham Birth Centre, a unit designed for low-risk births, lacked the necessary emergency facilities to respond to complications. Transfers to the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, 30 minutes away, introduced dangerous delays.
- Absence of Accountability:
- The NMC panel highlighted the lack of “insight, remediation, or remorse” from the midwives, an aggravating factor in both cases.
These failures led the NMC panel to conclude that both babies lost “a significant chance of survival.”
Impact on Families: A Case for Compensation
For families like the Whites and Bowtells, the pain of knowing their losses were preventable is unimaginable. Speaking to the BBC, Laura Bowtell reflected on the heartbreak:
“Knowing that our daughter could be here – no parent should have to live with that. There were plenty of missed opportunities to escalate my care during my pregnancy as well as during my birth.”
Clinical negligence claims seek not only financial compensation but also justice and accountability for such devastating outcomes. Compensation can provide:
- Financial Relief: Covering costs related to medical care, funeral expenses, and lost earnings due to emotional trauma.
- Systemic Change: Ensuring healthcare providers address systemic failings to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
How Clinical Negligence is Established
To make a successful claim, it must be shown that:
- A Duty of Care Was Breached:
- Healthcare providers failed to act according to established professional standards, as seen in the delay in transferring care and failure to escalate care.
- Causation of Harm:
- The breaches directly contributed to a worse outcome for the patient. In this case, the NMC panel confirmed that both Jasper and Margot lost a significant chance of survival due to the midwives’ actions.
Accountability and Next Steps
While striking off Hazel Williams and Lisa Land from the register sends a clear message about the standards expected of midwives, it cannot undo the harm caused. For families affected by clinical negligence, pursuing a claim is a step toward accountability and ensuring healthcare systems learn from their mistakes.
At Oliver & Co, our experienced Clinical Negligence team is here to help. We can guide you through the legal process with sensitivity and expertise, helping you secure compensation to rebuild your life after a devastating loss.
Seeking Justice for Jasper, Margot, and Others
The cases of Jasper White and Margot Bowtell highlight the tragic consequences of negligence in maternity care and the importance of swift, decisive action in emergencies. If you or a loved one have experienced substandard care during childbirth, we can help you seek justice.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
