Inquiry Ordered Into New Mum's Death

An inquiry has been ordered into the hospital death of a young mum who had just given birth.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust - which manages Antrim Area Hospital - confirmed this week they have ordered an independent inquiry.

Magherafelt woman Janet Brown died at the in September 2006 just hours after giving birth to her baby son.

Janet Brown's brother, Arnold Scott, said he had serious concerns about the workload of staff at Antrim Area Hospital: "They simply cannot cope with their workload," he said.

Mr Scott said that in his opinion, "Antrim is the new modern hospital ... you go in and you don't get care".

"At the time of Janet's death we were told directly by the hospital that a morphine overdose was impossible," he added.

"All the blame in the world won't bring Janet back, but I do hope that her death will not be in vain.

"I only hope that by highlighting her death at least one person's life will be saved in the future."

Janet Brown gave birth to a healthy baby boy by caesarean section just after 4pm on September 12, 2006.

After returning to her ward she was fitted with a medical device known as a patient controlled analgesia, a small pump which allows patients to self administer and control morphine dosage.

Shortly after midnight hospital staff found her dead.

A Northern Health and Social Care Trust spokeswoman said: "The department cannot comment directly as this matter is now the subject of an independent enquiry. The outcome of the inquiry will help identify any action the department and trust can take to prevent a similar tragedy in the future."

A pathologist's report later revealed that the 28-year-old had died as a result of "morphine intoxication", which means that she received too much of the drug.

(BMcC)