The Canary Islands Health Service has been ordered to pay over €146,000 in compensation after a newborn baby died when doctors at a hospital in Tenerife failed to carry out a caesarean section in time.
A court in Las Palmas found that medical staff at the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria committed serious failings during the birth.
These included not properly informing the mother of the risks associated with labour induction and delaying surgery for several hours, despite clear warning signs.
The incident dates back to November 2020, when the 49-year-old mother who was pregnant with her first child via IVF, was admitted to the hospital at full term. The court heard that she was not adequately informed about the decision to induce labour, the possible complications involved, or the alternatives available. Her right to give informed consent was “completely disregarded,” according to the ruling.
By 4:20am the following day, the baby’s heart rate had become unstable. Combined with a lack of dilation, the baby’s high position, the presence of meconium, and the mother’s age, the situation should have meant immediate surgical intervention. But no caesarean was performed.
Due to limited access to the baby, staff were unable to perform a routine test to check oxygen levels. Hours later, two delayed PH samples were eventually taken, prompting an urgent decision to operate, but by that time, the baby had already died.
The court described the delay as a clear breach of medical standards and ordered the SCS to pay €146,181 to the parents, plus interest and legal costs. The couple say the pain is irreparable, but hope the ruling leads to improved care for expectant mothers.
