Father to challenge coroner's finding in newborn's death case
A Queensland coroner found a newborn's death from oxygen deprivation was not preventable, but the father plans to challenge the decision.
Hugo McGregor died from a sudden drop in heart rate that caused brain damage from lack of oxygen. He was born by emergency caesarean section at Mackay Base Hospital in March 2023.
He was transferred to Townsville University Hospital, where he died five days after birth. Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher found no missed chances.
She said the care given was reasonable and right. Hugo's father, Andre McGregor, is disappointed.
He will ask the state coroner to set aside the findings. An internal hospital review found gaps in care, which the father says were not mentioned during the inquest.
The hospital has since made changes including earlier patient reviews by the obstetrics team.
Why it mattersThe family's challenge raises questions about hospital responsibility in maternity care and whether coroner's findings properly examine all the evidence in infant deaths.
AustraliaQueensland families raising concerns about hospital maternity care now know appeals of coronial findings are possible, though the process is lengthy and difficult.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 14 h ago
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