A Shoosmiths’ serious injury client who lost her baby in the Shropshire maternity scandal has opened up about her experience, detailing the tragic death of her son after doctors ignored her calls for a C-Section delivery.
Kamaljit Uppal, who lost her son Manpreet at Telford Hospital in 2003, hopes her story will encourage other women who find themselves in a similar position to seek out help and support.
In Shoosmiths’ serious injury’s latest podcast, Kamaljit has told how, after Manpreet tragically died following a failed breech delivery, doctors told her to “go and have another baby” before she was left alone to grieve on a hospital ward full of mothers and babies.
Kamaljit even had to discharge herself from the hospital just days after her son’s death, when she described herself as “feeling suicidal”.
Kamaljit said: “I could hear babies all night. I could not sleep. I wanted to walk out because I was drugged up so much. They had given me the highest dose. I don't know whether I was coming or going. The worst thing is that nobody comes and sees you. They just leave you. And that's what they did to me.
“And then I discharged myself. I had the baby Friday and by Sunday I was out and after a very traumatising birth. I just couldn't stay in the hospital. I said to my husband, If I don't go, I'm going to die. I am going to die.”
Kamaljit added: “It was the worst, having to be there and having to be so scared of what I went through. And at the end of it all turning around and saying so coldly that, you know, you're better off having another baby to get over this one.”
The Ockenden report was commissioned in 2017 by then health secretary Jeremy Hunt to investigate baby deaths at Telford and Shropshire NHS Trust spanning 20 years.
In her final report in April this year, Donna Ockenden’s team concluded that catastrophic failings over nearly 20 years in maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust led to almost 300 avoidable baby deaths or babies being brain damaged.
Several mothers died, while others were made to have ‘natural’ births (although in many instances this was accelerated using synthetic oxytocin) despite the fact they should have been offered a Caesarean section.
The report identified no less than 60 actions for learning at the trust and 15 immediate actions which must be implemented by all NHS Trusts in England that provide maternity care to ensure safe
staffing, robust support for families and improved postnatal care.
Shoosmiths clinical negligence partner Kashmir Uppal represents Kamaljit, along with several other women who lost babies in the tragedy.
It was only at the conclusion of the inquiry earlier this year that Kamaljit says she finally has closure after her son’s death.
Kamaljit said: “It was like a heavy weight lifted off my shoulders because I never knew what happened to my son. All I was told was that the baby died, and that was it. It was never, ever explained in detail what actually happened until Donna actually told me everything.
Kamaljit added: “It was like a huge weight of 19 years that was there, that needed closure and I got it. She explained what actually happened and what should have happened.”
“So, yes, a huge weight has been lifted. And with Kashmir's help as well, her believing in me made a lot of difference.”
Following her traumatic experience, Kamaljit believes other women who have any doubt should seek help and support straight away.
She said: “My message to other mothers would be to get help to confront everything. If there's a doubt in their mind they should follow their heart and get help. That's all I say - I got it.
“I got it through Kashmir Uppal and I got it through Donna Ockenden. And it's the best hope I’ve ever had because at one time I wanted to commit suicide. I've been there and back.”
Kashmir Uppal now hopes that the sweeping reforms announced following the Ockenden Report will create safer NHS maternity services for all.
Kashmir said: “We’re just so grateful to Donna for highlighting this, making it an issue and making it so important. For mothers like Kamaljit, who have suffered a terrible loss, to say it's not your fault, this shouldn't have happened to you.
“I think moving forward, what Kamaljit and I both want is for maternity care to be safer for everybody, for ourselves, our clients, our families, our friends. That's what we're always striving towards.
“But we also want mothers to be listened to - because the mother knows what's best for her child.”
You can hear more of Kamaljit’s interview with Kashmir, as well as Kashmir’s thoughts on next steps after the Ockenden report, on the podcast.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2024
