By Hayley Robinson

A baby's death could have been prevented if a doctor had followed hospital protocol and given her mother an antibiotic, an inquest heard.

Charlene Kemp, of Portland Avenue, Murston, was 36 weeks and five days into her pregnancy when her waters broke.

She arrived at Medway Maritime Hospital at 10.30pm on February 27, 2009, and was told to go home but returned the following evening by which time she was in labour.

At about 7am on March 1, 2009, Libby Godbold was delivered but nine hours after her birth she became seriously unwell. Sepsis was believed to be the most likely cause and appropriate treatment was provided but it was unsuccessful and Libby died at two days old.

A post mortem revealed the cause of death as early onset neonatal sepsis – a serious bacterial infection, due to prolonged rupture of placental membranes.

The hospital had in place for several years a protocol according to which Charlene should have been prescribed the antibiotic erythromycin to prevent infection when her waters broke, but the registrar Dr Pawel Brelik decided not to follow the protocol, which was regarded as a clinical error of judgement.

The inquest heard Charlene should also have been given another antibiotic, benzylpenicillin, at the onset of labour but again the registrar decided not to follow protocol.

Coroner Roger Sykes condemned the decision at the County Hall, Maidstone, inquest.

He said: “The prophylactic administration of antibiotics would, on the balance of probabilities have prevented Libby becoming infected and hence would have prevented her death.

“The omission of both antibiotics represented serious failures in these circumstances where there was no valid reason for the protocol not to have been adhered to.

“I am satisfied the hospital has taken appropriate steps to avoid a similar occurrence in future.”

A spokesman for Medway NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust is committed to the highest standards of care but it is clear the care provided on this occasion fell below the standards that the trust would wish to provide, and for which we apologise unreservedly.

“Our most sincerest sympathies remain with the family.”