12 hours ago
Inquest for newborn baby Alby Spreadborough who died at Emerald Hospital
A coronial inquest will investigate the death of a baby boy at a Queensland hospital, following more than two years of advocacy from his grieving parents.
Bec Spreadborough's precious son Alby died at Emerald Hospital in February 2023, after an obstructed labour, which occurs when the baby cannot move through the birth canal.
In a statement to the ABC, Ms Spreadborough said the decision to proceed to a coronial inquest was an "enormous relief" for her family.
She said the coroner's report was disappointing and did not adequately investigate the factors leading to his death.
"That trust was deeply let down."
Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said she directed the state coroner to hold an inquest after a meeting with Ms Spreadborough and her husband, Tim.
"The loss of any child is heartbreaking, and I hope this decision helps them to get the answers they need," she said.
Ms Frecklington's decision marks the second time in recent weeks she has used her powers to order an inquest, after complaints about the central coroner's reports.
Ms Spreadborough said it took the central coroner more than two years to deliver the findings, which found Alby's death was not preventable.
The coroner ruled the cause of death was an obstructed labour with a Bandl's ring.
A Bandl's ring is a rare complication where a ring of muscle constricts between the upper and lower sections of the uterus.
She said she had raised with hospital staff her desire to have a caesarean section several times during her labour, but alleged she was pressured to continue to have a vaginal birth.
In Queensland, there have been two coronial inquests, both in 2017, for babies who died with obstructed labour as a factor in their deaths.
In both cases, the state coroner recommended better education for hospital staff to identify obstructed labour.
Ms Spreadborough said she was concerned about the experts the coroner relied on for the report, as there was no neonatologist who could have assessed Alby's condition and the hospital's resuscitation efforts.
That is despite a previous review from the Central Queensland Health Service, which recommended the Emerald maternity team undertake regular emergency skill drills for neonatal resuscitation, among other measures.
Earlier this year, Queensland Health announced it was developing new clinical guidelines for obstructed and prolonged labour, following Ms Spreadborough's advocacy.
It is due to be completed in the second half of this year.
