A mother whose two children were placed into foster care after doctors misdiagnosed fractures in her baby son has described the experience as traumatic. The boys, aged eight months and three years, were in care for eight days in October 2020 after a hospital error.
The mother, identified only as Liz, took her baby son George to Wrexham Maelor Hospital after he fell from a bed. Initial X-rays of his clavicle and pelvis were clear, and he was discharged. However, further X-rays at Glan Clwyd Hospital revealed five fractures: one in each leg and three along his right arm.
Doctors told Liz that two independent radiologists had identified the fractures, leading to safeguarding concerns. The parents were arrested and the children taken into foster care. Liz said she was not allowed to say goodbye to her son before being taken into custody.
Three days after the arrest, X-rays were reviewed by Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Two days later, a safeguarding meeting concluded that the fractures had been misdiagnosed. The children were returned home after eight days.
Betsi Cadwaladr health board apologised, stating it always strives to act in the best interests of the child. Liz said she still suffers from anxiety and nightmares, and feels her identity as a mother has been tainted.
