Mother demands answers after her baby girl died in a Queensland hospital just hours after her birth

A Queensland family is devastated and demanding answers after their baby daughter died in hospital just hours after her birth.

Thea Ann Flaskett died in her father’s arms just four hours after her birth at Redcliffe Hospital, north of Brisbane, just after midnight on September 11.

Thea’s mother, Meg Flaskett, 21, claims her baby was given faulty equipment and her concerns were not treated seriously enough.

Now, two months after Thea’s tragic death, Ms Flaskett told Ny Breaking Australia the family was “taking it hour by hour and just getting by.”

The parents believe Thea’s death was avoidable and demand answers from the hospital

“I really feel like because I was a young, first-time mother, I was brushed and treated like I didn’t know what I was talking about,” Ms Flaskett said..

‘I want to bring about change in Thea’s legacy, so that young mothers are listened to and we are treated just like any other mother.’

A full clinical review of the care received by Mrs Flaskett and Thea is currently underway, with the coroner and the Healthcare Ombudsman undertaking separate investigations.

Mrs Flaskett was admitted to hospital on Saturday evening, September 9, to be induced.

When Thea was born, her umbilical cord was tangled around her neck and she did not cry.

Based on interim clinical assessment findings, Metro North Hospital and Health Service denied that the equipment was defective or that staff did not know how to properly operate the equipment.

A spokesperson for Metro North HHS acknowledged that an oxygen tank was replaced during the resuscitation “in accordance with standard clinical processes.”

They did not indicate how long it took to replace the tank.

Thea’s mother, Meg Flaskett, 21, claims her baby was given faulty equipment and her concerns were not treated seriously enough

Hospital staff decided to transport Thea to the nearest tertiary hospital, but this never happened as her condition did not stabilize.

Mrs Flaskett said that at around 3.30am on the night Thea was born, doctors told her that the baby was showing no signs of brain activity and that she was unlikely to survive the journey to the Mater Hospital.

“(They said) if we wanted to hold her, now would be the time,” she said.

The little girl died within five minutes in her father’s arms.

Mrs Flasket said: ‘Being a mother has always been my biggest dream.’

‘More than anything, we want to be parents and we will always be parents. Thea has made us her father and mother forever, but we want to be able to raise a child at home,” she said.

Redcliffe Hospital confirmed a full clinical assessment was underway and the couple had been offered an open disclosure meeting.

Mrs Flaskett (pictured with husband James on their wedding day) said she had always dreamed of becoming a mother

‘The death of a baby is a tragedy for everyone involved. Our deepest condolences go out to this family at what must be an unimaginably difficult time,” said acting director Louise O’Riordan.

“The matter has been referred to the Health Ombudsman and the Queensland Coroner in accordance with standard procedures and we are unable to provide any further details at this time.

“Metro North Health is working with the family to ensure they have access to the support they need.”

Mrs and Mr Flaskett will meet Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman on Tuesday and the couple hope she can act as a ‘voice of power’ for mothers in similar situations.

Ms Fentiman said her ‘heart goes out to Meg and her family’ for the ‘unimaginable pain’ they had experienced in the months since Thea died.