Medical Negligence Lawyers Supporting Eight-Year-Old Who Is Wheelchair Dependent And Requires Full Time Care

The mum of a Cheltenham girl who suffered a brain injury after a hospital trust failed to administer antibiotics for Group B Strep is calling for routine testing and treatment for all mums-to-be.

Danielle Evans gave birth to her daughter Aurelia at Gloucester Royal Hospital in August 2015.  Danielle had previously tested positive for Group B Strep, for which antibiotics are normally administered during labour.  However, no treatment was provided.

Aurelia’s condition began to deteriorate. The following day she was diagnosed with sepsis and probable meningitis as a result of Group B Strep.

Gloucestershire mum Danielle asks medical negligence lawyers to investigate

Shortly afterwards, Aurelia was diagnosed with a brain injury, following which Danielle instructed medical negligence experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate their care under the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The legal specialists are also helping Aurelia access the specialist lifelong treatment and therapies she requires.

The Hospital Trust admitted liability, a “failure” to provide antibiotics to Danielle during labour, and accepted responsibility for Aurelia’s injury. It also apologised to Danielle.

She is now joining her legal team in marking Group B Strep Awareness Month by raising awareness and urging the NHS to routinely test and treat for the bacterium during pregnancy and labour.

What is Group B Strep?

Group B Strep is the most common cause of infection in newborns in Britain. While harmless to the estimated one in four women who carry the bacterium, it can be fatal for babies if it’s transmitted in the birth canal.

Expert Opinion

“It’s been almost eight years since Aurelia was born and Danielle understandably still struggles with the fact that her daughter will require specialist care for the rest of her life.

“Group B Strep is a very serious bacterial infection and can lead to life-changing injuries for newborns, which sadly happened to Aurelia. However, with early diagnosis and treatment, these can be prevented.

“With Group B Strep Awareness Month upon us, we join Danielle in her call for all mums-to-be to offered testing and provided with treatment if found to be positive.

“The test is a simple blood sample that can determine if a woman is a carrier. It’s then vital that adjustments are made to labour care plans and appropriate treatment, such as antibiotics, are administered to stop the infection transferring to the baby, in turn preventing devastating injuries.” Laura Daly

Medical negligence: Aurelia's story

Now aged eight, Aurelia is wheelchair dependent and requires support with activities of daily living such as feeding.  She also suffers from bladder and bowel problems.

She benefits from a range of therapies including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and also attends a specialist school.

Danielle supports Group B Strep Awareness Month

Danielle, who is Aurelia’s full-time carer, said: “The past eight years have been tough and while I love Aurelia to bits, some days I still struggle to accept what happened, particularly as it could have been prevented so easily. 

“I wouldn’t change my girl for the world, but we’ve had to face many challenges together and I often think about how her life would be if it weren’t for her brain injury.  

“I strongly believe that routine testing and treatment for Group B Strep would stop so many families from going through what we have, and I urge the NHS to consider implementing this.

“I also hope that by sharing my story, it will raise awareness around Group B Strep and how dangerous it can be.”

Find out more about our expertise in supporting families following Group B Strep and other birth injuries at our dedicated birth injuries claims section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100. 

For more information about Group B Strep and the support available visit the website of the charity Group B Strep Support.