A coroner has ruled that a baby died after suffering brain damage due to a 'gross failure of basic medical attention' at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Noah Tyler died ten months after his birth, during which a midwife failed to act despite the baby's heart rate being dangerously high.
The inquest heard that midwife Julie Richards, with 13 years of experience, did not take necessary action after noticing Noah's high heart rate. She admitted that with hindsight she would have acted differently and sent the mother immediately to see specialist doctors. Richards is no longer working as a midwife.
Coroner Mary Hassell recorded a narrative verdict, stating she was 'very, very concerned' and that both Noah and his mother, Colleen Tyler, could have died. She said Noah died of natural causes 'contributed to by neglect'. Mrs Tyler told the hearing she was 'tortured' by the birth, knowing instantly something was wrong when her baby was born white and silent.
Noah's father, Hywel Tyler, said outside the court: 'It is because of the failings of one person that my boy isn't here any more.' Paul Hollard, interim chief executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, apologised and said the midwife had been dismissed, with improvements made to care.
