'A terrible mistake': NSW Health sends grieving mum of stillborn congratulations letter
NSW Health has come under fire for sending an insensitive 'congratulations' note to a grieving mother of a stillborn baby.
In what has been described as a 'terrible mistake', the health service mailed the mother a letter last week which read: "This is a very special time for you".
The family is now demanding answers over delays, which they say led to their son being stillborn.
Tyreece Burns perished in utero, two days after his mother Karen was meant to have a Caesarean section.
On Thursday his parents received the Health Department letter that only compounded their grief.
A 3D image, little hand and footprints, confirmed Tyreece existed, but there is no death certificate to suggest he was ever born alive.
He died in his mother's womb two days after he was supposed to be born, healthy.
"That was heartbreaking. I was in so much shock," Ms Burns told 7 News.
Doctors knew it was a high-risk pregnancy.
Tyreece had a small heart abnormality, and Ms Burns is diabetic.
She was prepped for a Caesarean at Campbelltown Hospital two weeks ago, but doctors postponed it.
"I was very distressed," Ms Burns said.
Steroids to help with the C-section inflamed Ms Burns's diabetes 'which indicated clotting and placenta issues" Ms Burns said.
"It was urgent on the Thursday. That's why I don't understand why they left it 'til Friday."
By Friday, Tyreece was dead.
Ms Burns gave birth to her stillborn son the following day.
"They kept asking where's their little brother, and we didn't know how to tell them," said Ms Burns.
Health Minister Jillian Skinner said, "This is a real tragedy and I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the family."
Already coping with so much, Ms Burns received a letter from New South Wales Health on Thursday.
It begins: "Congratulations on the birth of your new baby,"
"This is a very special time for you."
"This is a terrible mistake, it should never have happened," said Jillian Skinner.
Ms Burns said, "Knowing that, you know, he was stillborn… I just thought that was disgusting. It made me so angry."
7 News reports the hospital said the decision to postpone the c-section was made in the best interests of Ms Burns and her unborn son.
A Health Department investigation will now determine if it was the correct decision.
