Four infants' deaths at Wishaw Hospital were preventable

Emma Owen, a 22-year-old mother, believes her baby’s death could have been avoided. Her son, Owen, died less than 24 hours after being born at Wishaw General Hospital in July 2023. Emma has spoken out after a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) found that three other newborns also died at the same hospital due to preventable causes. The inquiry revealed that better healthcare in the days leading up to these deaths could have made a difference. Recommendations from the investigation include creating a 'trigger list' to identify early labor symptoms and providing clearer guidelines for mothers seeking medical help. Emma had visited the hospital multiple times during her pregnancy, reporting symptoms such as headaches and swelling. Each time, she was sent home without any serious treatment. When she returned with severe pain, tests revealed a condition called placenta abruption, where the placenta detaches from the uterus. Despite a quick emergency C-section, Owen did not survive. Emma expressed her deep sorrow and anger, stating, “Losing Owen broke our hearts. We put our trust into doctors and midwives, but they did us wrong.” The inquiry also looked into other cases similar to Emma's, where mothers reported concerning symptoms but did not receive appropriate care. Emma now feels that if the FAI's recommendations had been implemented sooner, her son might still be alive. She hopes for better training and procedures to prevent such tragedies in the future. NHS Lanarkshire has been contacted for a response regarding these claims.