Probe after baby dies in BRI tragedy (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Probe after baby dies in BRI tragedy

7:40am Friday 9th April 2010 in News

Hospital chiefs have ordered an inquiry after a baby girl died when she was starved of oxygen during birth at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Bobbie Leigh Holmes, a full-term, healthy baby, was delivered in an emergency operation during a traumatic breech birth.

Doctors placed her on a ventilator for 30 hours, but she was pronounced dead the following day when her life-support was removed, having never opened her eyes.

Her devastated parents Robert Holmes, 43, and Rachel Webster, 31, of Bracken Edge, Thorpe Edge, Bradford, are now preparing for her funeral on Monday.

They believe their daughter's death could have been avoided with better and more immediate care by staff at the hospital and say they have spoken out in a bid to make sure action is taken to prevent such a distressing event happening again.

Robert Holmes said: “We are going to have a meeting at the hospital in about six weeks' time. We have a lot of questions we need to ask.”

A hospital spokesman told the Telegraph & Argus: “Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like to pass on its sincere condolences to Bobbie's family at this difficult time.

“The Foundation Trust is taking all necessary action to investigate the circumstances surrounding Bobbie's death and an internal investigation is being carried out.

“Until this investigation has been completed and the findings shared with the family it would be inappropriate for the Foundation Trust to comment further.”

e-mail: claire.lomax @telegraphandargus.co.uk

• For the full story see today's Telegraph & Argus