Overview

• The coroner found communication breakdowns between on-site staff and a remote consultant delayed Daisy McCoy’s emergency C-section and contributed to her perinatal asphyxia.
• The Prevention of Future Deaths report identified policy gaps that left consultants and midwives without clear guidance to attend understaffed emergencies or act on abnormal fetal movements.
• Archer highlighted deficiencies in training on recognising fetal distress and the absence of formal emergency escalation protocols as matters giving rise to concern.
• Somerset NHS Foundation Trust must submit its action plan by September 30 ahead of Yeovil Maternity Unit’s scheduled reopening in November under revised procedures.
• MPs and local advocates have pointed to toxic workplace culture and high staff sickness as factors behind the unit’s May closure and ongoing operational risks.