A bereaved mom was compelled to put on full PPE as her child son died in her arms hours after his delivery, the UK Covid-19 inquiry has heard. Catherine Todd’s son Ziggy was born in the course of the pandemic on 21 July 2021 on the Ulster hospital in Northern Eire.
Chaired by Heather Hallett, the inquiry is now investigating the influence of the pandemic on healthcare programs throughout the UK.
Giving proof on Wednesday, Todd informed the inquiry that she didn’t really feel secure in hospital after contracting Covid whereas pregnant. She mentioned she was approaching 28 weeks pregnant when she contracted Covid throughout that month. She mentioned this led to the cancellation of a routine being pregnant scan.
She later started to really feel unwell and was involved that her unborn child was not transferring however was informed by the hospital’s maternity unit to take paracetamol, lie on her aspect and take a fizzy drink. She mentioned: “They informed me they wouldn’t carry me in on the time as a result of they needed to cut back the danger of unfold of Covid.”
Todd mentioned she believed she would have been seen earlier if she didn’t have Covid. After her situation worsened, she phoned her GP, who informed her to attend the hospital’s accident and emergency division.
When her son was born, he was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit and positioned in an incubator in a single day, the inquiry was informed. Todd mentioned she and her accomplice, TJ, have been dropped at see Ziggy the next morning, believing that his situation was enhancing.
She mentioned: “They took all the things off and handed Ziggy over to me after which they simply left the room after which he handed away they usually didn’t come again for about two hours.”
Counsel to the inquiry Nick Scott requested: “Was that the primary time you had been with Ziggy since he was born?” Todd replied: “Sure.”
Scott then requested: “Have been you having to put on full PPE whenever you have been with him?” Todd mentioned: “Sure. We had hairnets, masks, a visor, gloves and shoe coverings. I assumed that was pointless. On the time they knew how unwell he was. I’m a bit confused why we have been in full PPE.”
Requested concerning the influence of getting to put on the protecting gear, Todd mentioned: “All of our images now we have with him are in full PPE.”
The Guardian has contacted the hospital for remark.
