Grandmother’s fury over hospital ‘birthing blunder’ (From Borehamwood Times)

Grandmother’s fury over hospital ‘birthing blunder’

8:20am Friday 19th September 2008

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A Borehamwood grandmother has criticised Watford General Hospital for allegedly “misdiagnosing” an infection that her daughter suffered following an emergency caesarean section.

Diane Stanton, 55, called the hospital “irresponsible” after her daughter Shiobhan Stanton, contracted the infection after giving birth to a son on Friday, August 22.

Shiobhan, 35, was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, August 24, and returned to her home in Hemel Hempstead to find the stitches in her stomach from the operation had opened.

Mrs Stanton said: “Shiobhan was firstly discharged very quickly, then when her scar stitches became loose, the area was oozing with pus and I could see it was infected.”

Shiobhan went immediately to see her GP in Hemel Hempstead and was put on a course of antibiotics.

“A swab was sent for tests by the GP and on September 5 she received confirmation that she had a bug called pseudomonus. After this, Shiobhan’s partner called Watford Hospital which invited them in for an interview on the Saturday,” said Mrs Stanton.

At the meeting, a doctor and a midwife told her daughter the area was not infected, claimed Mrs Stanton. Shiobhan then went to Hemel Hempstead General Hospital to get a second opinion.

Mrs Stanton added: “The doctor there told her the area was definitely infected.

“Watford Hospital misdiagnosed her and was irresponsible with her treatment. It was dreadful, especially because she had just had her baby and should be enjoying her time as a mother.

“Shiobhan is still suffering at the moment and needs to have the area around her stomach cleaned out every three days. I want the hospital to take notice of this situation and to not let it happen to anyone else in the future.”

Watford General Hospital and Hemel Hempstead General Hospital both come under the West Hertford-shire Hospitals NHS Trust.

A spokeswoman said: “Although we cannot comment on individual cases, the trust is always concerned to hear that a patient is unhappy with the care they have received.

“If Miss Stanton would like to contact our complaints department on 01923 217866, we would be happy to discuss her concerns with her in detail.”

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