can anything be done

[nonchalant]

about 10 years ago i ended up having an emergency ceasarean section to "save my life and son`s". I had a problem free pregnancy and when my waters broke i went to May day hospital in croydon. i was admitted and did not make any progress in terms of dialating i was not commenced on anything to induce the birth..36 hours later i developed a temperature and my baby was in distress and had to have the section to save us both. there were whispers about how i should not have been left for so long without intervention as my waters had broke that long ago. Our son was born and had to be rescucitated....we almost lost him...2 years down the line we had a child who was not speaking and questions were asked about his birth. many investigations were done the MRI scan which would have shown damage from lack of oxygen at birth came back negative. We now have a 10 year old who has severe developmental delay, learning disabilities, behavioural problems and needs one to one care and support. Now i have found out about similiar cases at the hospital in question and was wondering if the circumstances surrounding my sons birth could have caused his problems. I am not trying to find someone to blame for what could have been an act of God or bad luck. how do i go about finding some answers? i have heard negligence cases are not easy to prove...any ideas, suggestions or comments are welcomed....

 

thank you

[The Chez]

My first move in your case would be to get a second opinion. Every NHS patient has the right to ask for one.

 

You also have the right for your boy to be assessed by a specialist, a full assessment of his disability. If you are not already claiming DLA & incapacity benefit for him, then any specialist professional opinion will help greatly in future claims.

 

This page: How do I get a second opinion? gives you the steps you need to take in order to ask for a second opinion.

 

It's not impossible that the distress he suffered at birth did cause his disability, but it will be very hard to prove 10 years on. However, there are not many ways, apart from scans, to tell if any lasting harm has been done to a newborn, it could be that 10 years on, you're just learning the extent of the damage, as your child passes through important developmental stages.

[nonchalant]

Thanx The Chez much appreciated