Cerebral Palsy: what can be done to limit occurrences?
- 06.10.2017
- HannahBottomley
- Clinical-negligence, Clinical-negligence
On World Cerebral Palsy Day, one of the issues being discussed are the causes of cerebral palsy and what can be done to limit the occurrences.
Here at Potter Rees Dolan we sadly come across children who have suffered cerebral palsy as a result of poor care and treatment provided to them and their mothers during labour and delivery. Not all causes of cerebral palsy may be negligent, however poor care and treatment resulting in children being deprived of oxygen before birth can lead to the often significant and life changing injuries associated with cerebral palsy.
A number of groups, including AvMA, regularly campaign on behalf of patients who have been injured due to negligent medical care and nowhere is the need for improvement more easy to see than in cerebral palsy cases.
We have unfortunately dealt with claims where those meant to be caring for mothers-to-be in labour have failed to recognise that the babies were showing signs of distress and taken action to ensure they were delivered in time to avoid injury.
Babies who are not receiving enough oxygen before they are born, for whatever reason, will often show signs of their distress on the various monitors used during labour such as a CTG scan. However, those monitors are only effective in preventing injury if those responsible for the mother’s care are present to see the monitor and correctly interpret them.
Sadly we have dealt with a claim where the midwives responsible for a mother to be completely failed to recognise the signs of distress the baby was showing on the monitors and simply allowed mum to continue in her labour. By not intervening once baby was in distress baby sadly did not get enough oxygen and suffered an injury which was later diagnosed as cerebral palsy.
I hope that with increased awareness of the potentially serious and significant consequences of cerebral palsy a recognition of the need to act promptly and properly at the first sign of distress will mean less children and families being effected by cerebral palsy.
Hannah Bottomley is a clinical negligence solicitor here at Potter Rees Dolan. Should you have any queries about clinical negligence issues or indeed any other aspect of this article and wish to speak to Hannah or any other member of the team please contact us on 0161 237 5888 or email Hannah directly.