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STV News
2 days ago
- Health
- STV News
Call for review of weekend staffing at maternity unit after death of newborn
A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) has told a health board to review its weekend and evening staff following the death of a newborn baby in 2018. Freya Murphy was born on July 21 2018 at 9.31am in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QUEH) in Glasgow and died there on July 28, aged seven days and 12 hours old. The cause of death was given as global ischemic brain injury associated with acute chorioamnionitis. An inquiry was held into the death where Freya's parents questioned why the UK is not screening pregnant mothers for Group B strep, and they raised concerns about 'failings in her care' at the QEUH. First-time mother Karen Murphy and her husband, Martin Murphy, said they have been 'left devastated by failings in her care' and 'missed a lifetime of memories with our precious daughter', while their other children 'suffer daily without their big sister'. Sheriff Barry Divers said that there were 'no defects in any system of working which contributed to Freya's death' and said the death 'could not realistically have been avoided'. He, however, found a 'clear impression from the evidence' that if Freya's difficult birth had occurred on a Monday rather than a Saturday, the hospital's 'inability to open a second theatre would have been one less issue to worry about'. 'It does seem to me on the basis of the evidence I heard, that if an emergency of this type arises, with two patients both of whom need to be in theatre at the same time, then QEUH is far better able to cope with that demand during a weekday than at the weekend,' Sheriff Divers said in his determination. 'As such emergencies can arise at any time, it seems to me that such a situation might amount to a defect in the system of work.' The sheriff also made a recommendation in relation to UK policy on screening for Group B Streptococcus ('GBS'). Mrs Murphy, then aged 32 and a first-time mother, was deemed to be a 'low-risk' pregnancy, and induction was planned for July 20 2018, however, she requested it be pushed back by three days, according to a statement of agreed evidence read to the court. Fiscal depute Amanda Allan told the court that on July 19, Freya's heartbeat was recorded as 150 beats per minute (bpm), and Mrs Murphy, a teacher from Cambuslang, began contractions later that day. The following evening, Mrs Murphy arrived at the QEUH with the foetal heartbeat noted as 144bpm and she was transferred to the labour unit at about 10.20pm. At 6.30am on July 21, she was advised to start pushing, the inquiry heard. At about 7.20am, a midwife noted that Mrs Murphy's pulse was elevated, and informed Dr Felicity Watson, who had carried out a vaginal examination and advised Mrs Murphy that she could have a 'rest from pushing for an hour', which she declined to do, Ms Allan told the court. Midwife Helen Kidd reported at 8.45am that a CTG (cardiotocograph) was showing signs of 'deceleration', however, Dr Amy Sinclair and Dr Marieanne Ledingham left to attend another woman, Patient A, the court heard. At the time, 12 women were on the ward, including seven in labour. Dr Ledingham returned to review Mrs Murphy and noted 'deceleration', however, Dr Sinclair advised her that Patient A needed surgical delivery. The court heard that Dr Sinclair and Ms Kidd delivered baby Freya at 9.30am 'covered in copious thick meconium'. Ms Allan said: 'Freya was noted to be born in poor condition, she required resuscitation and CPR continued for 17 minutes.' Freya was then transferred to neonatal ICU and was suspected to have suffered a brain injury, the inquiry heard. Ms Allan added: 'It was agreed that continuing intensive care treatment was not in Freya's best interests and she was unlikely to survive.' Freya died just before 10pm on July 28, aged a week old, and her cause of death was global hypoxic ischaemic brain injury associated with acute chorioamnionitis, following a post-mortem examination. A significant clinical incident investigation review was carried out in 2019 with six recommendations, and an external review was commissioned by Dr Michael Munro, a neonatal specialist who wrote in a report that 'amnionitis caused by Group B strep remains the most likely cause of Freya's brain injury as there appears to be nothing else to cause it', and noted that after birth, 'care was delivered to (a) high standard', the court heard. Giving evidence by videolink, Dr Munro said: 'The trajectory of the decline is really impossible to be certain of, there are no studies I'm aware of, of the specific circumstances Freya found herself in. 'The process of that starting and the baby dying can be just less than 30 minutes.' Dr Munro said he believed Group B strep – an infection passed from the mother's body to the baby via amniotic fluid – was 'the most likely cause as there's nothing else from the notes I've seen to explain what happened'. He said: 'It can cause stillbirth, therefore, what we are dealing with here is stillbirth just before Freya's heart tragically stopped.' He agreed that earlier delivery would have helped, but added: 'I don't think it's possible to say, 'had Freya been delivered at this time point she would have avoided brain injury or survived'.' Dr Munro told the court the mortality rate (of Group B strep) is 'round about 5%, it's a minority of babies who succumb' and Freya was 'close to being recorded as (a) stillbirth' as her heartrate was so slow. He added: 'A lot of women carry Group B strep, around a third – it singles out a very small number of babies, either causing a stillbirth or a baby to be born in very poor condition.' Dr Munro said screening for Group B strep has been carried out in America since 2002, and 15,000 babies born in Scotland in 2023 would have been potentially affected by the infection. He said the 'risk of exposing lots of babies to antibiotics they don't need' was a major consideration for medics, but added: 'I would like universal screening. One of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world is doing it and you have to question why the UK is not.' The determination said: 'It was clear on the evidence that all those clinicians (doctors and midwives) who spoke to their involvement with Freya, were motivated in their actions by doing what they thought was best for Freya and Mrs Murphy. 'It was obvious during their evidence that Freya's tragic death has left a mark upon each of them in different ways which will last for the rest of their professional careers and beyond. 'For the reasons I have explained, I have not been able to make all the findings or recommendations which they sought. 'However, I hope that the entirety of this FAI process, including the preparation for the evidential hearing, the evidence which was led, the submissions made and this determination, has at least addressed the questions which they have about what happened. 'It was suggested that the adoption of routine screening for GBS would be a suitable tribute for Freya. I understand why that submission was made. 'However, if I might respectfully say, I do not consider that would be accurate, even if it were to happen. 'The real tribute to Freya is the obvious love carried for Freya by her mother and father, which love has no doubt been passed on to Freya's siblings.' Dr Claire Harrow, deputy medical director for acute services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: 'We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family of Freya Murphy, and once again to apologise for the distress they have experienced. 'The care Freya received fell below the standards expected and for this, we are very sorry. 'We have received the findings from the FAI. The recommendation for NHSGGC on staffing has already been implemented. 'In line with the recommendation on Group B Streptococcus, we plan to make a formal approach to United Kingdom National Screening Committee.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
League of Ireland has escaped ‘difficult child' tag – but recent spats prove there's nothing wrong with childish scenes
JOHN DELANEY'S 'problem child' followed him around like a bad smell — much to his annoyance. For starters, he called the League of Ireland the FAI's 'difficult child' instead, and was describing the financial basket case it was and how he believed it had progressed. 2 John Delaney infamously called the League of Ireland a 'difficult child' Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile 2 St Pat's players taunt Stuey Byrne after winning the league The last time I spoke to Delaney was in 2018. I asked him if he was surprised that he could appoint a manager — He snapped back: 'There's been so much made about that. I came from the 'I didn't mean it in that context and people should know that. It was where it was to where it is.' But the way the Association sometimes dealt with naysayers from within the League of Ireland around that time showed that the Read More on League of Ireland The now FAI President Paul Cooke was once an ally of Delaney but became persona non grata after asking questions about finances — Cooke is an accountant — at an AGM. Roddy Collins was another who was hit with a fine for a comment on RTÉ in 2011, and another when he called the league a 'shambles' in a 2016 column in the Irish Daily Star . He was fined by the FAI as he was working for Monaghan United in 2011 and Had he not been in football , any sanction would have been legal. Good luck proving that calling the league a 'shambles' at that time was not fair comment! But 2016 was also the year that FAI Competitions Director Fran Gavin went on RTÉ and said the Association had 'created the atmosphere' for successes such as those of Most read in Football But the sad thing is it was often an atmosphere of silence. Stadia were often quiet due to lack of numbers, and the managers all — publicly at least — got on with it and largely didn't complain. FAI invite Ireland fan, 11, who was stabbed at Dublin school to training before Bulgaria clash Thankfully that has all changed. The crowds are great — though that may change if The FAI has got it in the neck at times, but that is nothing compared to the WWE-style shenanigans between managers. There has been Stephen Kenny, meanwhile, At the same time, Virgin Media must be delighted that their guests are in the story as it is a rarity in Ireland. PUNDIT POPS Personally, I can only recall a couple of times when pundits got it in the neck from LOI managers or players. And St Pat's players never forgot when Stuart Byrne said Saints were a side to play when the sun came out. They posed for a team photo in hats and scarves after winning the league. Managers — and some fans — may complain about the sideshows taking centre stage when there are so many great games, great goals and great players. But it should be embraced if it keeps people talking about the league. The league is no problem child, but there is nothing wrong with some childish moments now and then.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'He didn't say f*** off' - Hallgrimsson happy to 'wait and see' after Delap talks
Chelsea's €40m target Liam Delap has held talks with Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson about his international allegiances. Delap has represented his native England up to U21 level but the FAI have maintained interest as he's eligible through both maternal and paternal grandparents. Hallgrimsson admitted in October he'd delegated dealings to his assistant John O'Shea – who'd worked with Delap during his loan spell at Stoke City – but the Icelander has now met the player face-to-face. Also present at the meeting was Delap's father Rory, who won 11 caps for Ireland and is currently assistant to Ireland's record caps holder Robbie Keane at Hungarian champions Ferencvaros. Although it appears England are in pole position to retain the Ipswich Town striker, he's free to switch until the Three Lions cap the 22-year-old in a competitive senior international. That won't happen until at least September after Thomas Tuchel opted against drafting Delap in for the June double-header to allow him to remain with Lee Carsley's Euro U21s champions. "We have sat with him, yeah,' admitted Hallgrimsson after finalising his squad for the June friendlies against Senegal on Friday week and Luxembourg four days later. 'We just told him we would love to have him in our camp. Liam has good qualities and everybody knows that. His father played for the Republic. 'Obviously we are always hoping the good players will join us. He is now in the England under-21 squad for their Euros finals. "That is his focus at the moment. What will happen after that we will have to wait and see." When asked to confirm if Delap remains interested in joining the Boys in Green cause, the Ireland boss took a direct interpretation of their discussion. "Well, he didn't say fuck off," he said with a smile. Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has allowed his star striker to open negotiations with suitors due to his €36m release clause. He scored 12 goals in 37 league appearances for a relegated Tractor Boys side that features an Irish presence in Dara O'Shea, Jack Taylor, Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene. Hallgrimsson isn't overly concerned about their relegation culling the volume of top-flight minutes his players are exposed to. The FAI have painted a bleak picture in their sales pitch to the government for academy funding, arguing 35 players operating across the top five leagues in Europe are a minimum to assemble a successful Ireland team. Once this double-header is completed, Ireland are straight into a blitz of six World Cup qualifiers against Portugal, Hungary and Armenia from September 6 to November 16. Failure to reach USA next year would prolong Ireland's tournament famine to the longest stretch since their qualification breakthrough At Euro '88. 'I think we have the material to qualify, sure,' said the manager who guided Iceland and Jamaica to major tournaments. 'I have, from experience, qualified with less talent than we have here in this Ireland squad. Obviously, we would like more players to play at a higher level and I think more players will. They're still not peaking in age. 'I think the players that got promoted, the likes of Josh Cullen will play, more or less, every minute for Burnley in the Premier League. 'For those relegated, it wasn't that they were that bad – and some like Sammie and Chieo were injured – but Dara O'Shea played really well. 'Ryan Manning did well for Southampton and Kasey McAteer is playing every minute for Leicester City. The quality is there for sure. 'We like to have players playing at the highest level but I would rather have players playing in the Championship than being on the bench.' That criteria would seem to apply in the case of Evan Ferguson. Although he provided winning goals in two of the manager's four victories against Finland and Bulgaria, he endured a disastrous club campaign. A loan move from Brighton and Hove Albion to West Ham United didn't improve the outlook and he may have to drop into the second tier to regain the sharpness he exuded from his teens. 'I can only judge from the time he's with us and he's been good for us, very efficient,' stressed Hallgrimsson. 'Whatever he goes, it's not something we cannot control. We haven't seen him since March, so we just want to see and speak to him, see what's happening and just evaluate where he is.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
FAI facing increased pressure to allow freedom to decide season format
The FAI is facing increasing pressure to ditch its summer season edict after the backlash from key affiliates intensified. Resistance to the directive of synchronising all levels of football with the League of Ireland format of February to October hasn't abated since it being passed by a narrow 57% margin of the association's general assembly in December. On the back of a failed attempt to link grant funding for the Gaynor and Kennedy Cups to compliance with the FAI's calendar season, meetings were held in Portlaoise with the two largest constituent bodies on Wednesday night. The Leinster Football Association had previously dismissed the ballot as 'flawed' and were on the brink of releasing a statement seeking freedom of choice among their leagues to remain in the traditional format of September to May. It's believed the statement was only paused due to an intervention from top FAI brass. Significantly, none of the FAI's staff who have been at the forefront pushing the change, were invited to the last-ditch talks – only President Paul Cooke and Vice-President John Finnegan. 'All members present voiced their concerns and opinions around calendar alignment and the issues it would cause in their respective leagues around the province,' the LFA wrote in correspondence to leagues, seen by the Irish Examiner. 'The FAI members present took on board the concerns and views of the LFA and made a commitment to bring those concerns back to the FAI Board.' The pair of elected FAI officers also met with their biggest affiliate, the Schoolboys/girls FAI, who in February pleaded with the FAI to reevaluate the compulsory element. Under the FAI's phased proposal, underage leagues are to introduce the 'calendar' season from next January for players up to age 12 but none of the biggest six seven leagues in the country, DDSL and North Dublin, along with Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick, have agreed to the overhaul.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jim Crawford is ‘sickened' by horrific LOI racism incident which shouldn't happen in this ‘new age, new Ireland'
IRELAND Under-21 boss Jim Crawford wants a zero-tolerance approach to racism — but insisted that any punishment must include education. Crawford has previously spoken out about racism in Ireland and called on 2 Jim Crawford has been an anti-racism advocate for a number of years 2 Victor Ozhianvuna suffered racist abuse on Shamrock Rovers' visit to Waterford FC But there continue to be football-related incidents, including when Crawford's team In the past two months, the FAI has reported racist incidents during the Ireland Just last week Shamrock Rovers' Victor Ozhianvuna was Crawford is sickened by the cases and hopes the culprits are punished severely. More on Irish football The former Shelbourne midfielder said: 'I think it is s**t. It's something I feel extremely strong about. 'Whoever made those comments to Ozhianvuna should be caught, reprimanded, barred from every club and put on an education programme. 'This is a new age, a new Ireland — get used to it. 'It's something that shouldn't happen, but it's going to happen. You've got uneducated people, naive people . . . Most read in Football 'But if there is anything I could do to help sort of promote new Ireland, I'd do it. I believe in it, there is absolutely no room for racism. 'Unfortunately it will always exist, you'll have those outliers, ignorant people. 'You can't make this up' - Irish fans in stitches at Ruesha Littlejohn's playful prank upon Katie McCabe's camp arrival 'Whatever punishment the person in Waterford gets, I'll be right behind it because they deserve it. 'But it also must come with education. I'm sure if you look at the people who do it, they are uneducated.'
