A CORONER is seeking assurances from a hospital that there will be improvements following the death of a breach born baby.

Claire Bailey, acting senior coroner in Middlesbrough, concluded that the death of Lincoln Brady at the town's James Cook University Hospital in August, 2014 was a stillbirth.

This meant the inquest had to be cut short under current rules as the baby was not alive post birth.

But, despite objections she nevertheless decided to impose a Rule 28 on the hospital, which requires NHS managers to respond to her concerns.

The Middlesbrough inquest heard baby Lincoln was born the wrong way round and almost certainly died of a lack of oxygen.

His death may have been because when Lincoln's foot emerged it was stimulated, causing him to try to take a breath. However, his head remained unborn for at least 15 minutes and the umbilical cord may also have been compressed. Amniotic fluid was found in Lincoln's lungs.

Lincoln's father, Peter Brady, a superintendent pharmacist from Guisborough, outlined he and wife, Paula's, serious concerns about what they say were missed chances to prevent their baby's death.

These included an external and internal examination of Mrs Brady at about 2.40am on August 26, 2014, four-and-a-half hours before birth, which indicated there should have been a scan - which would have shown Lincoln was being born breach.

The couple also requested a Caesarian Section which could have saved the baby's life and they argue they were not given an informed choice in the matter. The Bradys also say portable scanners should be more readily available.

Dr Chidamara Harikumar, a consultant neonatologist at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, conducted a report which found Lincoln was certainly dead at birth.

The doctor added that midwife and doctor attempts to revive the baby post birth were exemplary but it was hopeless.

The hospital has already made arrangements to ensure that clocks are directly in the sight of midwives and doctors in the baby delivery rooms so staff can better track timings in emergency situations. It was mentioned in the inquest that scanners are already being used more often.

A spokeswoman for the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust would like to offer our sincere condolences to Lincoln’s family. Our internal investigation following Lincoln's death resulted in some significant learning and important changes with new guidance and policies for all staff in the maternity units which have now been implemented. While we cannot change the very sad outcome in this case, we hope the subsequent changes made and actions taken by the organisation to prevent any such incidents in future, will offer some reassurance to Lincoln's family at this sad time.”