A BABY might have survived if medics at Southend Hospital had acted faster to deliver him, a coroner has ruled.

Frankie Solomons Hodges died at the hospital on March 29, 2014, after the umbilical cord got wrapped around his neck, starving him of oxygen.

An inquest into his death heard Frankie’s heart rate was monitored during labour, but staff failed to recognise the signs he was in distress and urgent action was needed.

Recording a narrative verdict on Friday, Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray criticised medics for failing to recognise an abnormal heart scan and opting for a normal delivery.

Because of this, the ceasarian section which could have saved him was “unacceptable delayed”, she said.

She added: “The cause of death was perinatal asphyxiation.

“There were serious failings in the care provided to baby Frankie and his mother by Southend Hospital.

“More timely intervention would probably have resulted in a better outcome. Baby Frankie would probably have survived.

Baby Frankie’s death was contributed to by neglect.”

The coroner also pointed to errors made in identifying Frankie’s position in the womb and to a discrepancy between the accounts of midwives and registrar Dr Ibrahim Foroughi of the delivery. Frankie’s parents, Ami Solomons Hodges, 31, and her partner Russell Lee, 48, from Great Wakering, make a brief statement after the inquest.

Ms Solomons Hodges, said: “It has been very distressing, having to listen to two days of evidence which has inevitably brought back memories.

“We are grateful to the coroner for concluding Frankie’s death was contributed to by neglect.

“The most important thing for us now is for the hospital to learn from its grave mistakes.”

Parent's pushing for compensation

FRANKIE’S parents say they are pressing for compensation for their son’s death.

Mum Ami Solomons Hodges, 31, said: “Russell and I were really looking forward to Frankie’s birth and being parents for the first time.

“We were both devastated when Frankie died and the past ten months have been extremely difficult for us.

“I have always believed had medical staff listened to my concerns and monitored Frankie’s condition more closely, he would have been delivered sooner than he was and he would have been with us today.

"The inquest has confirmed my suspicions.

“We are grateful to the coroner for conducting a thorough inquiry and hope the trust will pay heed to the shortcomings identified in its own investigation report.

“We will continue to work with our legal team to get justice and to ensure no other families go through what we have.”

Georgia Kerr-Dineen, the couple’s specialist medical negligence lawyer said: “This is a tragic and heartbreaking case with devastating consequences for a young couple who were very much looking forward to welcoming home their first child.

“It is essential the family are now given assurances steps will be taken to improve maternity services at the hospital.

“We will continue to work on their behalf to secure financial compensation for Frankie’s death.”

Case 'casts doubts about doctor's probity'

CORONER Caroline Beasley- Murray said she had “grave concerns”

about discrepancies in evidence and other failings at Southend Hospital.

Evidence from a midwife and registrar Dr Ibrahim Foroughi differed about Frankie’s position the womb and what happened during labour.

Mrs Beasley-Murray said the evidence“ castgravedoubtsontheprobity of Dr Foroughi”, adding: “I’m sure that the hospital will be noticing that”.

The court heard Frankie was likely to have asphyxiated in the 25 minutes before he died.

Mrs Beasley-Murray added: “This has beenamost sad case. The evidence has been upsetting and harrowing forall to hear.

“It’s to be hoped lessons have been learned by Southend Hospital.”

'Trust has learned'

SOUTHEND Hospital said lessons had been learned in light of Frankie’s death.

Neil Rothnie, medical director at Southend Hospital, said: “We would like to extend our sincere condolences to baby Frankie’s parents for their tragic loss.

“The trust has carried out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Frankie’s death and those findings were shared with the family and coroner ahead of the inquest.

“The trust has implemented a number of positive changes since Frankie’s birth, and worked to ensure all clinical staff have and continue to undergo enhanced fetal heartbeat monitor training, focusing on interpreting changes shown.

“We appreciate the inquest was very difficult for Frankie’s family and we would like to assure them lessons have been learned.”