Overview
The complainant (Miss C) raised a number of concerns about the level of care provided to Ms A by Highland NHS Board (the Board) during her pregnancy and subsequent delivery of her baby daughter who was sadly stillborn.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that the Board failed to provide Ms A with an appropriate level of care during her pregnancy and subsequent delivery at Raigmore Hospital in December 2011 (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
- (i) apologise to Ms A for the failings identified in this report;
- (ii) review their guidance to staff on the antenatal management of women to ensure that the risks of recurrent shoulder dystocia are discussed with expectant mothers together with birthing options; and
- (iii) draw to the attention of the antenatal midwife who looked after Ms A, the importance of documenting previous history of shoulder dystocia in the handover note to the labour midwife.