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Hospital apologises after baby dies during emergency Caesarean section

WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT: A hospital in the UK has apologised after a baby died shortly after his birth when doctors accidentally cut into his skull during a Caesarean section.

Carson Allen died three hours after his birth on July 3, 2013 when doctors made a two-inch deep cut into his scalp and skull, causing him to haemorrhage.

His mother, Claire Smith, 41, has now had an undisclosed settlement and an apology from Nottingham University Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

The trust said the care Ms Smith received during pregnancy was not up to standard.

Dr Lucy Kean, head of service for obstetrics and gynaecology, offered commiserations to Carson and his family following the newborn's death.

A hospital has apologised after accidentally cutting into a baby's skull during an emergency c-section in 2013. He died three hours later. File pic. Source: Getty Images
A hospital has apologised after accidentally cutting into a baby's skull during an emergency c-section in 2013. He died three hours later. File pic. Source: Getty Images

“We reiterate the trust’s condolences to the family on the death of their son Carson, and apologise for the shortfalls in our care, mindful that no words or amount of money can undo the harm and distress the family have experienced as a result of this case,” Dr Kean said.

In October 2011, Ms Smith had a gynaecological procedure known to cause complications, and pregnancy should have been avoided afterwards.

The trust has accepted Ms Smith was not properly advised of the risks.

An inquest heard there were several missed opportunities to access a full medical history or even check Ms Smith’s medical records properly.

Ms Smith said she found the inquest “very difficult” and spent the last four years blaming herself.

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“I thought the cut on Carson’s head was because of the procedure I had in 2011 – it wasn’t until the result of the post-mortem that I found out it was caused by a scalpel,” she said.

“As if losing my baby wasn’t enough, I have been put through hell fighting for the reassurance that I could not have prevented my baby son’s death.”

The Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has apologised for Carson's death. Source: Google Maps
The Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has apologised for Carson's death. Source: Google Maps

Ms Smith described her care as “absolutely horrendous” and “unacceptable”.

“During my C-section, the doctor cut my baby’s head so deeply that he died,” she said.

“I am a good mum and the chance to be a mum to Carson was taken away from me.

“It has been the worst experience of my life and I doubt my family will ever get over our loss.”