For years, Hayley blamed herself for son's death. Now 11 years on, hospital finally admits failings

Mother Hayley Brunt said her son's death 'destroyed' her 'for years'

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has admitted to a mother that their failings led to her son's stillbirth - 11 years after it happened. Hayley Brunt's unborn son Kaiden died at 39 weeks and four days in April 2013 after his teenage mother was turned away from hospital multiple times and told that her pregnancy was okay, despite her raising concerns.

The trust failed to continue to monitor his heart rate and also failed to follow their own guidelines to offer an induced birth to expectant mothers who are more than 26 weeks pregnant and report reduced baby movements. At the time, the Trust told Hayley that Kaiden died because her placenta not working properly - but they've now admitted liability for his stillbirth.

Hayley, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, said: “The deep grief I experienced over my son’s death resulted in my mental health spiralling over many years. I felt that because I was just 15 years old, my feelings were disregarded and I was treated badly. I believe one of the reasons I wasn’t given the proper care was because of my age.

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“Losing Kaiden destroyed my life for many years. I blamed myself for his death and only because of the Donna Ockenden inquiry did I find out about how much had gone wrong in my maternity care.”

Ms Brunt was just 15 years old when she first experienced issues in the pregnancy in January 2013. She noticed that she could feel Kaiden less in her stomach but was told not to worry when she visited hospital.

In late February, she began to experience vaginal bleeding and stayed in hospital for two days again but was reassured that Kaiden was okay. Ms Brunt then experienced what she noticed was a lack of fetal movement again on two occasions - once in March and once in April.

She visited hospital on both occasions but again was sent home and reassured. On April 22, she visited for a fourth time, believing she thought the baby wasn't moving as much as he should've been.

Kaiden was due in just more than a week. She also felt dizzy and had a headache, so was fitted with a belt to record Kaiden's heart rate. It showed signs of abnormality and Hayley recalls the midwife noting this verbally.

But she was sent home, again, and asked to return the following day for a growth scan - despite the fact that - as a teenager - she was considered a high-risk pregnancy. NUH's own guidelines say that if reduced fetal movement is noted after 26 weeks of pregnancy, an induced birth should be discussed with the mother.

The next day, she went for the growth scan. Kaiden's heart rate was not monitored again. Hayley was asked to return to hospital the following day to meet with a consultant. When she did, she was told Kaiden had died.

Despite the tragic news, she had to return home again before an appointment two days later to deliver the stillborn. She was on the same ward as new mothers with babies who had been born, and could hear their joy. She said it made her feel inconsolable.

A funeral was held for Kaiden and Hayley was told that his death was due to her placenta not working properly. But she blamed herself for his death and began to struggle with her mental health, becoming suicidal and making attempts on her own life.

Nine years later, in December 2022, she received a letter from NUH's chief executive Anthony May, apologising for NUH's maternity failings in previous years and advising that Kaiden's death would be looked into by Donna Ockenden as part of her inquiry. It was then she contacted solicitors Leigh Day.

They found that NUH had actually done its own investigation into Kaiden's death - but didn't tell Hayley or her parents. Leigh Day sent NUH a letter alleging that staff had been negligent.

NUH then sent a response, admitting that staff should have continued to monitor Kaiden's heart rate and that if Hayley had been offered an induced birth, Kaiden's death would have been avoided.

Leigh Day solicitor Adam Lamb, who represents Hayley, said: “The loss of baby Kaiden was entirely avoidable and has had a devastating impact on my client’s life. Hayley was already vulnerable and considered high risk due to her young age but staff dismissed her concerns. Baby Kaiden died in 2013 and it wasn’t until late 2022 that Hayley was informed an independent investigation into her maternity care and Kaiden’s stillbirth was taking place.

"We are pleased the trust has admitted responsibility for Kaiden’s stillbirth and we look forward to working with them to conclude the case. While nothing can truly make up for what Hayley has gone through, we hope that this admission from the trust can help ease the blame that she has put on herself in the years since Kaiden’s sad death.”

Tracy Pilcher, Chief Nurse at Nottingham University Hospitals said: “I would like to apologise to Hayley for mistakes made during the birth of her son in 2013, and that the details of the subsequent investigation into his death were not shared with her at the time.

“We are committed to making improvements in this area and all investigations into cases like Hayley’s are now being carried out along with families. Information is provided on the investigation process including a designated link person to keep in contact with the family through the investigation process, and questions or concerns from families form an important part of the investigation or review of care. Such investigations are also reported nationally through the Perinatal Mortality Review Tool.

“NUH is also a pilot Trust for NHS England’s Independent Maternity Advocate role, where mothers and families are offered an advocate who can support and represent them in the investigation process to ensure good communication throughout.”