Mother died after treatment delays at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-64874345

8th March 2023

Mother died after treatment delays at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

[…] Her husband Modar Mohammednour, 44, did not go to hospital with her as he was at home looking after their other daughter.

He explained previously that the family did not understand Ms Abdelkarim was being induced but merely thought it was a check-up.

Witness statements submitted to the court said there were language barriers with Ms Abdelkarim, who left Sudan with her husband and made her home in Gloucestershire.

Staff said her English was "poor" but some felt they could "communicate effectively using simple words and hand gesticulations".

A Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) report into the death said: "There was no effective communication with Rana and the events that occurred traumatised staff." […] "The findings of these investigations have been shared with Rana's family and HM Coroner and we have implemented all 10 recommendations made in the HSIB report," he said.

Dr Christine Edwards, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, gave evidence about what steps the hospital had taken.

They included the trust updating their interpreter policy and installing a hands-free phone in each antenatal unit, so patients, doctors and a interpreter can be on the same call. […]