Human error probed in mum's death case

Published Tuesday, 02 June 2009
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A report commissioned by the Northern Trust has cast new doubt on how a young mum died just hours after giving birth at Antrim Area Hospital.

Janet Brown, 28, gave birth to her son on September 12th 2006, but was found dead by a midwife over eight hours later.

An independent report into her death found she had received ten times the recommended amount of morphine.

Until now the device used by the young mother for pain relief was the main focus of the inquiry, but the possibility of human error is now investigated.

UTV has obtained the report commissioned by the Northern Trust which has just been released to Coroner John Leckey and the Brown family.

The report, which was completed five months ago, was briefly discussed at a preliminary hearing into Mrs Brown's inquest on Tuesday.

According to medical records, the last time Mrs Brown took the drug from the device, which had a lock-out system designed to prevent overdose, was at 7.30pm.

But one expert has now said it is more likely the fatal dose could have been administered after 11.30pm.

 Rennie Scott

Mrs Brown's brother, Rennie Scott, told UTV:

"From the very outset all the family have ever wanted was all the facts laid on the table so the truth and nothing but the truth could be found to the cause of Janet's death."

"The more information you receive the more dirty the waters get", he added.

"It has been three years now and we are still searching to try and find the truth for myself and my brothers", Mrs Brown's other brother, Arnold Scott, said.

"We have lost a sister, and for her children they have lost a mother and this could have been prevented. It's unbelievable."

The Brown family have told UTV they believe only a police investigation will uncover the truth.

© UTV News
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