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A WA couple have launched legal action against a local hospital following the death of their baby boy.

The parents, who do not want to reveal their identity, went to Northam Hospital on June 18, 2015, with concerns the baby wasn’t moving.

Just over an hour later, the mother, who had not been seen by a doctor, was discharged after being reassured the baby was fine.

“We were told that sometimes babies have good days and bad days … looks like our baby is just having a bad day,” she said.

Three days later, she returned to the emergency department at 2pm and said she still had not felt her baby move.

At 3.20pm, she was told her baby had no heartbeat.

“We were failed, and unfortunately because of that we had to cremate our son.”

“The evidence that we’ve got suggests the death was completely preventable had appropriate care been carried out by the hospital,” medical law expert, Clare Eves, told 9News.

“We can’t say if there is anyone else out there that has been failed by that hospital, we wouldn’t want that to ever happen again,” the mother said.

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  • Heart breaking. I wish there was an update to this story.

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  • So sad, sounds like there definitely needs to be more education for the staff at the hospital.

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  • They should sue the hospital. I feel so sad for them, what a tragic story.

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  • So sad.. My heart goes out to this family.. Hopefully this story will make hospitals think twice before turning patients away.

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  • So sad for the family. Such a tragic loss of life. Too often you hear of the patient not being listened to, I understand they get all types in there but surely simple tests would prevent something so devastating.

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  • Such as tragic story that was so easily preventable. When will medical staff start listening to parents more. We know our children best

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  • Had they checked her thoroughly the first time things might have changed for the better. Personally I would have returned to hospital again the next day and refused to leave until tests had been done and I had seen a Dr. Alternately if an After Hours Doctor Service was available I would have called them.

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  • I felt the same with my newborn, No baby movements and I went to the hospital, they did CTG and were not happy with the baby movements and asked me to stay overnight and then booked my detailed scan, Luckily it was the day when baby was a bit lazy but I am really happy with the care the hospital provided.

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  • I’m so sorry for their loss and I hope they win their case. Even if they thought she was overreacting a doctor should still have seen her and checked for a heartbeat. If no doctor was available she should have been kept in over night to keep an eye on everything.

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  • I really feel for this couple. My sister delivered a stillborn baby girl and I still clearly remember 24 years on the shock and horror and devastation felt by everyone. Such a tragedy. And I can understand they want answers and someone to pay.

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  • That’s awful! I hope they have a win. It won’t bring their baby back but it may prevent it from happening again.

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  • Tragic, goes to show you should always go for a second or third opinion if you feel it is not right.

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  • What a tragic and stressful situation.

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  • She should have been put on a CTG machine and monitored and if not a CTG then she should have had an ultrasound. I would sue too, that is disgusting!

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  • That’s so sad! such a loss to the family!

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