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Inquest into Bristol baby's hospital death

An inquest has heard an emotional account from the mother of a baby who lost her life at Bristol Children's hospital.

Four-month-old Lacey-Marie Poton suffered a cardiac arrest in July 2013.

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Bereaved mother calls for change as inquest returns verdict on baby's death

Lacey-Marie Poton died at Bristol Children's Hospital at four months old. Credit: ITV News

The coroner has recorded a narrative verdict at the inquest into the death of a four-month-old baby from Bristol.

Lacey-Marie Poton's mother Emma Norley said she believes more could have been done to save her daughter, and that changes need to be made.

Lacey-Marie was born with a complex heart condition and died in July 2013 after surgery at the Bristol Children's Hospital. In an emotional account of the events, Emma Norley told the hearing she thought her child was too sick to be sent home.

I am happy with the verdict but I'd like changes with the ambulance services and the hospital, because I don't want this happening to another child.

– Emma Norley, Lacey-Marie's mother

The hospital has responded to the verdict, reiterating that Lacey-Marie's condition was thoroughly assessed before she was discharged from hospital.

The coroner’s independent conclusion is that the cause of Lacey-Marie's subsequent sudden deterioration is unknown but she made no criticisms of the care Lacey-Marie received at the Bristol Children’s Hospital. We would like to reiterate our deepest condolences to her family.

– University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson

The ambulance service also responded, apologising for where the standards had fallen short.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust accepts the verdict given by the coroner. All of our clinicians strive to deliver the best possible care, with the patient and their family’s interests at the heart of everything they do. The Trust is very sorry that some elements of the care did not meet the high standards expected.

The Trust fully investigated the care given to Lacey and Ms Norley accepted the Trust’s apology and was satisfied with the remedial action that was taken in respect of this incident.

– South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

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Inquest hears mother's emotional account of baby's death at Bristol Children's Hospital

Lacey-Marie Poton died at Bristol Children's Hospital when she was four months old Credit: ITV News

An inquest has heard an emotional account from the mother of a four-month-old baby who lost her life at Bristol Children's hospital.

Lacey-Marie Poton was born with a complex heart condition and had 3 operations at Bristol. Her mother Emma Norley, who's from Fishponds, told the inquest this morning she felt her baby was too sick to be sent home.

Mother speaks of anguish as baby's inquest begins

The mother of a baby girl who died after heart surgery at Bristol Children's Hospital has spoken of her anguish ahead of today's inquest into her daughter's death.

Four-month-old Lacey-Marie Poton suffered a cardiac arrest after she was discharged from hospital in July 2013.

Her mother Emma Norley, who's from Bristol, hopes the two-day inquest will shed light on her unanswered questions.

Katie Rowlett reports:

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