We've had several errors in feeding in state hospitals recently with two
babies at one hospital being given the wrong breast milk (swopped), one
mother did have some med problems (I'm trying to confirm just what before I
say what I think it was) and now we have another, within weeks of these
(and after the Health Minister said it wouldn't happen again).. in this
case a baby was fed a mother's breast milk instead of formula. Different
hospital.
Australians are not very litigious, although the parents are not averse to
going to the media. I doubt that it will result in legal action.
I'm on the State Nursing Council (as a consumer rep) which controls nurse
education, registration, complaints against nurses (incl mental health
nurses and midwives) so it will be interesting to see if anything is done
or said there. The usual approach would be to expect the institution to do
something to ensure protocols are followed. The parents may be encouraged
to make a complaint, as this happens quite often after their names are
given in the media.
Jan Cornfoot, CAPERS
Editor of Birth Issues