To lose a child, and to feel as though something could have been done to prevent that tragic loss, must be one of the worst feelings in the world for any parent.
We are moved with sympathy, accordingly, after hearing the story of Mark and Hayley Jermyn; a British couple who lost their newborn son to strep A infection.
At an inquest into the tot’s death this week, the Jermyns expressed their frustration and devastation over son Charlie’s death, believing that major medical errors into his care led to this tragic loss of life.
It all started when 46-year-old mum Hayley was sent home from hospital, after being told that she was not ready to give birth. The Jermyns felt concerned over the decision, but followed the advice of medical experts at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
After passing blood at home, Hayley went on to give birth to Charlie shortly after, on her toilet.
By the time the midwife came around to the Jermyns’ house, Charlie was ‘grunting’ – a common sign of the strep A sepsis infection; he had also turned a shade of yellow. The midwife, however, ignored these symptoms and the chance to treat the child with antibiotics.
The Jermyns were told that Charlie was doing fine – but shortly after he collapsed and died, just 30 hours after his birth.
An expert at the hearing condemned mistakes made with Charlie’s medical care, saying: “The failure of the midwife to act on her concerns by assessing baby Charlie's vital signs was poor midwifery practice and an opportunity missed to transfer him into hospital."
The inquest continues today.
