Hospital discharged pregnant woman against medical advice, baby died

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 12:35 · Archive

A mother whose unborn baby died was sent home from hospital despite a consultant's recommendation she remain admitted.

Danielle Brown, 31, a barista from North Shields, North Tyneside, was treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in February 2023 after feeling unwell at seven months pregnant. She was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication, and monitoring raised concerns about her daughter Maisie's heart rate. A consultant obstetrician said Ms Brown should remain in hospital until she gave birth, but she was discharged 24 hours later on 14 February following a review by a different consultant.

A day later, Ms Brown phoned the maternity assessment unit with further concerns but was told she probably had a stomach bug. She insisted on being seen and returned to hospital, where after a 90-minute wait she was told medics could not find Maisie's heartbeat. She was informed that her daughter had died at around 29 weeks.

Ms Brown said she was given a booklet for bereaved parents and told to book a slot to give birth with no explanation or compassion. Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has conceded a breach of duty and accepted that Maisie would have survived had her mother not been discharged during her first admission. Ms Brown and her partner Anthony Miller have received an undisclosed settlement.

How it is being reported

• Mother told to book an appointment to give birth to her dead babyDanielle Brown, 31, was seven months pregnant when her daughter Maisie died following a string of medical blunders at Newcastle's Royal Infirmary in early 2023.Daily Mail · 2 Nov, 12:45
• NHS told first-time mother to book appointment to give birth to her dead babyDanielle Brown, 31, was discharged even though a consultant had said she should remain in hospital until she gave birthThe Independent · 2 Nov, 12:18
• Hospital told mum to book appointment to give birth to her dead babyDanielle Brown, 31, says she was sent home from hospital after her unborn baby Maisie had died and was just given a booklet for bereaved parents as well being told to book a slot to give birthThe Mirror · 2 Nov, 11:38

In this story: Danielle Brown · Maisie · Anthony Miller · Royal Victoria Infirmary · Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · North Shields · Newcastle

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log