Neglect and 'serious delays' in mum's care contributed to the death of baby on maternity unit, coroner rules
hereAn understaffed maternity unit at the time of Mrs Kalkar's labour impacted on the care she received, the inquest heard.Staffing levels on the night of her admission were reduced from fourteen midwives to just nine.Dr Clare Tower, a consultant in obstetrics and fetal medicine at Saint Mary's, said a 'capacity error' had resulted in the delay in inducing Mrs Kalkar.Dr Tower said the shortage of midwives had led to Mrs Kalkar being transferred to the delivery unit."In order to transfer a woman you need a midwife," she told the court."Had that been available she would have been transferred."Hospital chiefs said staff calling in sick and agency staff cancelling shifts at the last minute caused the shortage.Saint Mary’s own guidelines advise