An 18 year old woman in Bronzefiled prison was left alone to give birth in her prison cell, after her multiple calls for medical help were ignored. The event triggered 11 different inquiries, and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has now published a damning report on the event. 

The new report was published this week regarding the event which took place in 2019, and it found that a series of failings were made by both prison officials and health officials, and an overarching act of medical negligence took place in the woman not being provided medical assistance. 

 

After going into labour, the woman, Ms A, pressed the bell for assistance multiple times, and asked for a nurse, but nobody responded to her. 

 

Sue McAllister, of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, has stated that "Ms A gave birth alone in her cell overnight without medical assistance,” and that "Overall the healthcare offered to her was not equivalent to that she could have expected in the community.” 

 

The ombudsman also set out a number of recommendations for those involved, including the prison, and the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who dealt with Ms A. 

 

The Ministry of Justice has also spoken out, claiming that additional welfare observations for women in the third trimester of pregnancy are now in place, and that improvements have been made in prisons to ensure that women receive the best care. 

This is a harrowing case, but is not an isolated incident of medical negligence in our prisons. Prisoners have a basic right to medical care while in jail, and should be given this medical treatment, or referred to another medical professional, wherever necessary. 

 

 

Still, this does not always happen. Our medical negligence solicitors are all too aware that medical negligence within the prison service is not rare, and that inmates are regularly ignored and refused necessary medical attention, even when it is requested. 

 

This case is just one example of many where shocking events happen as a result of medical negligence in prison, and it is an issue which needs closer attention and action to be taken. 

 

Everybody has a right to receive medical care, and prisoners are no exception to this. 

If you or a loved one has been refused medical care in prison, had a medical mistake made in prison, or received a low standard of medical care in prison, and have suffered further injury or illness as a result, you could make a medical negligence prison injury claim with MG Legal. 

 

The prison service has a duty to protect the health and safety of all prisoners, and should do everything within their means to keep them safe and healthy. When this does not happen, prison injury claims can be made against the prison service. 

 

To speak to one of our prison injury experts, simply get in touch with us online here, for a free, no-obligation chat. If we accept your prison injury claim, we will do so on a NO WIN NO FEE basis, allowing you to make the claim at no financial risk. No matter your situation, we are here to help win you financial compensation for your injuries.