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A medical hearing was told how a doctor sent a pregnant mother home hours before her baby was delivered stillborn.

The General Medical Council (GMC) was told how Dr Stephen Spooner failed to spot complications, resulting in the child being lost. He denies misconduct.

Working as a consultant in Rotherham in 2004, he sent the woman home after a scan despite her complaints of abdominal pain.

It was claimed he failed to spot the warning signs and showed bad judgment.

The mother was 37 weeks pregnant and had previously given birth by caesarean section in 2002, the GMC was told.

She told the doctor that she saw spots of blood on passing water that morning and that of she was in constant pain in the lower abdomen.

Emergency caesarean section

Ms A was allowed to return home after Dr Spooner had performed an ultrasound scan which appeared normal but just hours later she was admitted to Rotherham General Hospital.

Placenta separated from uterine wall

An emergency caesarean section was carried out during which it was found that the placenta had completely separated from the uterine wall and the baby had died by the time of delivery.

Giving evidence for the GMC Gerald Hackett, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, said Dr Spooner should have spotted there was a problem.

He said Dr Spooner failed to recognise that the history of bleeding and pain, provided by Ms A, suggested a possible placental abruption.

The hearing was told other medical indicators also suggested "adverse consequences".

"What at all was to be lost by admitting the patient to the ward for 24 hours for observation?" Mr Hackett said.

"This was a well-grown baby, with the expectation that the baby would survive."

The hearing continues

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