An investigation has been launched into the death of the baby — the sixth newborn to die unexpectedly at the hospital’s maternity unit in the past two years.Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday said she extended her “heartfelt condolences to the family of that little baby. A death is horrible and tragic under any circumstance’’.“The Health Minister and the health agencies will undertake all the required investigations and our first and foremost thoughts and care will be to the family,” she said.In November, nurses launched industrial action and obstetricians threatened to quit unless severe staffing shortages were addressed ­following revelations of a number of newborn deaths.The hospital responded by hiring more staff.“Since October 2020, Blacktown Hospital has appointed three senior medical officers, four junior doctors and 15 midwives, with more ­appointments still to be made,” a Blacktown Hospital spokeswoman said.But NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association General Secretary Brett Holmes said many of those new recruits were fresh out of university and had little experience. “Our members have told us staffing over the weekend was within the agreed levels,” he said. “Last year there was agreement by the Local Health ­District to increase the number of midwives by 15 and they are very close to the recruitment of those midwives, albeit many of those are beginning practitioners.”The hospital’s general manager has met with the family to assure them a full Root Cause Analysis investigation is under way, with the results to be ­referred to the NSW Health and the Clinical Excellence Commission.It is understood the couple in their 20s went into Blacktown Hospital on Friday evening and the mother, who was 38 weeks pregnant, was ­induced on Saturday morning because of a pre-existing medical condition. The labour appeared to be normal until the baby’s heartbeat dropped dramatically on Saturday night. Hospital staff tried to ­deliver the baby with forceps and then performed an emergency caesarean section. The baby died after midnight.Ryan Park, Labor health spokesman, said: “This is an absolute tragedy and the family, the community and the staff need to know exactly what happened. “We need to know the ­answers for this ­family who have gone through this awful tragedy of not being able to bring their baby home.”NAT – Stay Informed – Social Media



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