Menu
13/06/2008
Mother Awarded Payout Over 'Baby Kidnap' Blunder
An innocent mother has been awarded a five-figure sum in damages after being quizzed about a 'baby kidnapping' during what turned out to be a training exercise.
The incident was blamed on 'mistaken identity' during an exercise designed to foil any attempts to remove newborn infants from a hospital.
Clare Bowker, 37, of Four Oaks, West Midlands, suffered post traumatic stress disorder after she was stopped and questioned about a 'kidnapped baby' in December 2005.
Ms Bowker had just attended the hospital for an appointment at Good Hope Hospital, in Sutton Coldfield, when she was stopped.
Her ordeal began when she took baby Hannah with her for her elder daughter Hollie's routine eye appointment at the hospital.
When she left the Rectory Road grounds on December 9 and got into her car she was confronted by staff who said she needed to verify who she was at the maternity ward.
Ms Bowker was quizzed by police who searched her bag while hospital staff took 40 minutes to confirm that the child - her baby daughter Hannah - was actually hers.
The Heart of England NHS Trust has apologised to Ms Bowker who has also now left her job because of the incident.
She only found out that it was a training exercise when she later rang the hospital to see if the 'stolen baby' had been found.
Ms Bowker took legal action against the Trust who agreed to the payout.
The mother told the BBC: "It shouldn't have happened. It's somebody's incompetence and it affected me a lot more that I could ever have predicted."
A spokeswoman for Good Hope Hospital said that the safety of babies is "very important" and that "routine exercises" are regularly carried out to prevent babies from being taken from the unit.
She said that the case of Ms Bowker was that of "mistaken identity" and that the mother had been compensated for her "inconvenience and embarrassment".
(DS)
The incident was blamed on 'mistaken identity' during an exercise designed to foil any attempts to remove newborn infants from a hospital.
Clare Bowker, 37, of Four Oaks, West Midlands, suffered post traumatic stress disorder after she was stopped and questioned about a 'kidnapped baby' in December 2005.
Ms Bowker had just attended the hospital for an appointment at Good Hope Hospital, in Sutton Coldfield, when she was stopped.
Her ordeal began when she took baby Hannah with her for her elder daughter Hollie's routine eye appointment at the hospital.
When she left the Rectory Road grounds on December 9 and got into her car she was confronted by staff who said she needed to verify who she was at the maternity ward.
Ms Bowker was quizzed by police who searched her bag while hospital staff took 40 minutes to confirm that the child - her baby daughter Hannah - was actually hers.
The Heart of England NHS Trust has apologised to Ms Bowker who has also now left her job because of the incident.
She only found out that it was a training exercise when she later rang the hospital to see if the 'stolen baby' had been found.
Ms Bowker took legal action against the Trust who agreed to the payout.
The mother told the BBC: "It shouldn't have happened. It's somebody's incompetence and it affected me a lot more that I could ever have predicted."
A spokeswoman for Good Hope Hospital said that the safety of babies is "very important" and that "routine exercises" are regularly carried out to prevent babies from being taken from the unit.
She said that the case of Ms Bowker was that of "mistaken identity" and that the mother had been compensated for her "inconvenience and embarrassment".
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 July 2004
Reid gives 'green light' for £4bn PFI hospital deal
The 'green light' has been given for 15 new NHS hospital developments in a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal worth more than £4 billion, it has been announced today. Today's announcement will bring investment in new NHS hospitals to more than £16 billion since 1997, the health department said.
Reid gives 'green light' for £4bn PFI hospital deal
The 'green light' has been given for 15 new NHS hospital developments in a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal worth more than £4 billion, it has been announced today. Today's announcement will bring investment in new NHS hospitals to more than £16 billion since 1997, the health department said.
05 August 2009
Missing Baby Found 'Safe And Well'
A nine-month-old baby girl who was reported missing from her home in Glouchestershire on Monday has been found safe and well. Maylayah Delaney had been reported missing by her mother shortly before lunch-time on Monday. Police have confirmed that a man from the West Midlands is helping them with their inquiries.
Missing Baby Found 'Safe And Well'
A nine-month-old baby girl who was reported missing from her home in Glouchestershire on Monday has been found safe and well. Maylayah Delaney had been reported missing by her mother shortly before lunch-time on Monday. Police have confirmed that a man from the West Midlands is helping them with their inquiries.
05 February 2015
Woman Charged With Murdering Baby
A woman has been charged with the murder of 10-month-old Chloe Sutherland, it has been reported. A 35-year-old woman, said to be the little girl's mother, made no plea or declaration during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today. She has been remanded in custody.
Woman Charged With Murdering Baby
A woman has been charged with the murder of 10-month-old Chloe Sutherland, it has been reported. A 35-year-old woman, said to be the little girl's mother, made no plea or declaration during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today. She has been remanded in custody.
25 January 2013
Baby Had Dummy Taped To Face At Stafford Hospital
Stafford Hospital has suspended a member of staff after a baby was discovered with a dummy taped to its face. Police have also launched their own investigation into the incident. Director of nursing and midwifery for Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, Colin Ovington, said: "Fortunately, the baby was unharmed.
Baby Had Dummy Taped To Face At Stafford Hospital
Stafford Hospital has suspended a member of staff after a baby was discovered with a dummy taped to its face. Police have also launched their own investigation into the incident. Director of nursing and midwifery for Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, Colin Ovington, said: "Fortunately, the baby was unharmed.
20 December 2007
Countess of Wessex Leaves Hospital With Baby
Prince Edward's wife, the Countess of Essex, has left hospital with the couple's newborn baby boy. Sophie, 42, left Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey on Thursday. She had been recovering from a Caesarean section in a private unit in the hospital, where she gave birth to the child, the couple's second, on Monday.
Countess of Wessex Leaves Hospital With Baby
Prince Edward's wife, the Countess of Essex, has left hospital with the couple's newborn baby boy. Sophie, 42, left Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey on Thursday. She had been recovering from a Caesarean section in a private unit in the hospital, where she gave birth to the child, the couple's second, on Monday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
