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Case ref:201808613
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Date:July 2020
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Body:Forth Valley NHS Board
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Sector:Health
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Outcome:Not upheld, no recommendations
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Subject:clinical treatment / diagnosis
Summary
Miss C complained about the antenatal (before a baby's birth) care and treatment she received when she attended Forth Valley Royal Hospital where her child was stillborn at full term.
Miss C raised concerns that, despite attending triage on a number of occasions, in relation to concerns about her blood pressure and possible pre-eclampsia (a pregnancy-related condition involving a combination of raised blood pressure and protein in the urine), she was not adequately supported. Miss C said that she felt that her concerns were not taken seriously, that she received poor continuity of care and that these failings meant that there were missed opportunities to save her baby.
The board said that Miss C was provided with reasonable care and treatment. The board found that staff provided appropriate care and treatment and there was nothing that could have been done to prevent the stillbirth of Miss C's baby. The board also requested an external review to be carried out in relation to Miss C's care.
We took independent advice from two advisers – a midwife and an obstetrician (a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and childbirth).
We found that the midwifery care and treatment given to Miss C was appropriate and in line with relevant guidance. We also found that the obstetric care and treatment given to Miss C was reasonable and in accordance with national guidelines. We found no evidence of missed opportunities which could have affected the outcome in this case and concluded that Miss C's antenatal care was of a high standard. As such, we did not uphold this complaint.