Husband's anger at tragic hospital error

The husband of a young mother who died giving birth in a failing hospital today told of his anger at the "shocking" tragedy.

Premalatha Jeevagan, 27, bled to death at Northwick Park Hospital after a Caesarean delivery of daughter Lathikah.

She was one of 10 mothers who lost their lives following admission to the hospital's maternity ward in the last three years.

The deaths are at the centre of a major investigation. Health Secretary John Reid

has sent a team of specialists into the hospital amid mounting fears for the mothers and babies.

It is understood nearby hospitals are struggling to cope with extra numbers of women trying to avoid the unit.

Doctors failed to spot until too late that Mrs Jeevagan was bleeding into her uterus, and at an inquest in February the coroner criticised the poor care standard at the hospital. Selvaratnam Jeevagan, 34, of Greenford, believes his wife would still be alive if the hospital trust had acted sooner on known failings.

"I am really angry with them," he said. "There was no reason for my wife to die.

"She was a healthy young woman. I was really shocked when I heard how many women had died there - if they had a problem they should have told people about it."

Ten women died after births at Northwick Park between April 2002 and March this year, most of them after Caesarean sections.

The Healthcare Commission had warned the hospital over its care standards in December when the trust agreed a raft of measures.

After the death of another woman who had a Caesarean there in February, a spot inspection found none had been implemented.

Health Secretary Dr John Reid has now ordered special clinical safety measure from today, with extra cash to implement them and women being given the chance to elect for Caesareans at the private Portland Hospital.

Professor Arul Kumaran, of St George's Hospital, will lead a small team of doctors and midwives ensuring the safety of mothers and babies at Northwick Park.

The trust's new chief executive, Mary Wells, welcomed the special measures, which she said would improve staffing levels and help the hospital "reassure mothers that they may be confident in continuing to use the maternity unit ."