Troubled Bacchus Marsh Hospital blamed for newborn’s brain damage in new lawsuit
HE troubled Bacchus Marsh Hospital is being sued by a mother who claims her newborn son suffered irreparable brain damage due to poor treatment.
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- More families sue Victorian hospital
- Claims grow against Bacchus Marsh Hospital
- Bacchus Marsh baby toll soars
THE troubled Bacchus Marsh Hospital is being sued by a mother who claims her newborn son suffered irreparable brain damage due to poor treatment.
Investigations into 11 suspect baby deaths at the Djerriwarrh Health Services-run hospital have uncovered significant failings with the care provided. A number of those families are now suing, along with a disabled boy, whose mother claims his birth at the hospital was mishandled.
In the latest case, it is claimed Harper Button was born at the hospital by elective caesarean on March 18, 2010, and remained in the care of the hospital for the next 36 hours.
In a writ filed on Harper’s behalf by his mother, Sarah Milligan claims that it was noted that her new son was grunting while breathing — an expiratory noise made by babies with respiratory problems.
Harper was also noted to have “intercostal recession”, a condition where the intercostal muscles, which run between the ribs and expand and contract to facilitate breathing, pull sharply inward due to a blockage in the airway.
“The nursing staff noted respiratory distress on multiple occasions and contacted doctors to adjust the oxygen flow in the ward,” the writ alleges.
TWO MORE FAMILIES TO SUE OVER ALLEGED PREGNANCY MISHANDLING
An X-ray taken the day after Harper was born revealed i ncreased opaqueness throughout his lungs.
After remaining on oxygen in the ward for 36-hours the writ alleges Harper’s condition did not improve. He was eventually transferred.
“As a result of the (hospital’s) poor treatment of (Harper), he now suffers from cognitive impairment including but not limited to, global developmental delay,” the writ claims.
It alleges Harper’s injury and resulting loss and damage was sustained as a result of Djerriwarrh Health Services’ failure to appropriately monitor and manage his condition after he was born.
Investigations into a cluster of 11 suspect baby deaths at the Djerriwarrh Health Services-run hospital have uncovered significant failings with the care provided.
A number of those families are now suing, along with another disabled boy born who claims his birth at the hospital was mishandled.
In the latest case it is claimed Harper Button was born at the hospital by elective caesarean on March 18, 2010, and remained in the care of the hospital for the next 36 hours.
In a writ filed on Harper’s behalf by his mother, Sarah Milligan claims that it was noted that her new son was grunting while breathing — an expiratory noise made by babies with respiratory problems.
Little Harper was also noted to have “intercostal recession”, a condition where the intercostal muscles, that run between the ribs and expand and contract to facilitate breathing, pull sharply inward due to a blockage in the airway.
“The nursing staff noted respiratory distress on multiple occasions and contacted doctors to adjust the oxygen flow in the ward,” the writ alleges.
An x-ray taken the day after Harper was born revealed increased opaqueness throughout his lungs.
After remaining on oxygen in the ward for 36-hours the writ alleges Harper’s condition did not improve and he was eventually transferred to the Northern Hospital for further treatment.
“As a result of the (hospital’s) poor treatment of (Harper), he now suffers from cognitive impairment including but not limited to, global developmental delay,” the writ claims.
It alleges Harper’s injury and resulting loss and damage was sustained as a result of Djerriwarrh Health Services’ failure to appropriately monitor and manage his condition after he was born.
peter.mickelburough@news.com.au
