Baby dies after mum gives birth at hospital with no maternity staff

A young woman delivered her premature baby with just her mother to help because there were no midwives available at a new hospital.

Catherine Brown was forced to give birth over a toilet when she was told none of the staff at Queen's Hospital in Romford on duty at the time were trained in midwifery.

The 29-year-old said Edward Paul Brown was born at just 22 weeks but died in her arms minutes after the traumatic birth.

The single mum said: "I just sat there on the toilet looking at my dead baby. It was dreadful - a terrible nightmare.

"I still can't believe the hospital had no trained up staff who could help me with my poor baby. I had to go through sheer hell."

Mrs Brown, from Hornchurch, Essex, said it took over an hour for staff at the new £238 million hospital-to find gas and air to help relieve her pain. Mrs Brown's terrified mother Sheila Keeling, 51, of Hornchurch, feared her daughter was also at risk as she lost a lot of blood. Mrs Keeling said: "Catherine was left to deliver the baby alone with just me for help before cleaning herself up and going back to bed. It was horrific."

Mrs Brown claimed that a mix-up almost led to Edward's tiny body being thrown out with medical waste, despite an agreement with the hospital he would have a proper funeral after the birth in February.

A spokesman for the Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust said: "We are unable to comment on individual cases but this matter has been fully investigated and senior medical and nursing staff have met with Mrs Brown."