PARENTS who lost their baby after hospital staff failed to realise the mum was in labour are suing the health trust.

Despite her waters having broken, Marisa Sanders, aged 34, was left in a triage room for more than three hours at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough when she was admitted on August 17 in 2007.

Ms Sanders, of Park Road, Bromley, claims she was refused pain relief by the midwife and staff were slow to take action when it was clear her baby was in distress.

Thomas Arben Deliu, who would have turned three this month, was born without a heartbeat just before midnight but died on August 19 at just two days old.

An inquest in May last year found the death of Ms Sanders and Ben Deliu’s son had been caused by misadventure contributed to by neglect.

The couple, who were even given a letter of congratulations by the hospital despite their baby’s death, have now instructed medical law specialists at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors to take action against South London Healthcare Trust.

'Our hearts have been shattered'

Ms Sanders said: “To this day the overwhelming feeling of loss and grief at losing Thomas is indescribable.

“Our hearts have been shattered into such small pieces that even a lifetime can not repair.

“Being left isolated from medical staff and ignored during labour is something that should never happen to a woman when she is at her most vulnerable.

“To prevent other babies and family’s suffering such pain action needs to be taken now. I remain determined to make sure that this never happens to anyone else and that justice is done for my little boy.

“By taking this action we are trying to make sure our son Thomas's short life counted for something.”

'Unforgivable'

Auriana Griffiths, who is representing the family, said: “Ms Sanders and her family have been devastated by the loss of Thomas but remain steadfast in their determination to ensure that lessons are learnt and that no one should have to suffer the way they have.

“To lose a child under any circumstances is unimaginable but to know that Thomas’s death should have been prevented had staff at the Princess Royal University Hospital carried out basic checks and a followed basic protocol is unforgivable.”

Negligence

A trust spokesman said: “The new trust, which now manages the former Bromley hospital, would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise again to the family.

“There was a full investigation at the time which clearly pointed to negligence on the part of the original trust.

“The room which had been inappropriately used for the care of Mrs Sanders was closed immediately.

“Additional training was provided to staff involved in Mrs Sanders' case and the principal midwife concerned with her care was subject to a full professional review with the local supervisory authorities.”