Couple sue Bacchus Marsh hospital over death of their baby

A COUPLE is suing the Bacchus Marsh Hospital over the death of their unborn child, even though it was deemed “unavoidable” by authorities.

A COUPLE is suing the Bacchus Marsh Hospital over the death of their unborn child, even though it was deemed “unavoidable” by authorities.

Stacey Nadarajah, 34, and Ross Caldera, 35, have lodged a writ in the County Court claiming Djerriwarrh Health Services’ negligence caused the death of their baby and psychological injury to them.

The 2013 stillborn death was investigated among the original cluster of 11 suspect deaths at the hospital but was classified as “unavoidable”.

But the couple disagrees.

“You don’t see this sort of stuff in the Third World,” Mr Caldera said.

“It is frightening. I don’t even want to go and see a doctor any more. I just don’t trust them.”

The couple’s claim said Ms Nadarajah went to the service for the treatment and management of her pregnancy, with her child due on November 21, 2013.

Just 10 days before the due date, Ms Nadarajah claims she called her treating medical staff complaining of “new symptoms and concerns”.

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Ross Caldera and Stacey Nadarajah with son Dyrell. Picture: Rob Leeson.

She was scheduled for a caesarean three days later, but the day before the procedure went to the hospital with reduced foetal movement.

But after the medical staff allegedly struggled to use an ultrasound machine to detect a heartbeat, Mr Caldera said his wife was told everything was OK and was sent home.

“About seven different people came in to try and use the ultrasound machine, but they didn’t know how to operate it,” he said.

“They even pulled out the manual in front of us.

“Then they told us to come back the next day for the C-section.”

When they returned for the birth a different clinician used the ultrasound machine but could not detect a heartbeat and gave the couple the tragic news their baby had died.

Ms Nadarajah then had a caesarean to deliver her stillborn baby.

The grieving couple’s legal claim stated they had suffered injury, loss and damage.

They are seeking unspecified damages.

Slater and Gordon medical lawyer Anne Shortall said the couple had been through an unimaginable ordeal.

“We continue to call on the government to broaden the scope of its investigations of Djerriwarrh Health to ­include the many cases of traumatic birth injury to ­babies and mothers, in an effort to expedite the resolution of such matters,” she said.

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