Committee
Public Petitions Committee 12 January 2016
12 Jan 2016 · S4 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Group B Streptococcus (Information and Testing) (PE1592)
Shaheen McQuade
Watch on SPTV
My son Zach is the reason why I am here today. I am here to explain my reasons for setting up a petition to raise awareness of and get better testing for group B strep. In December 2014, I discovered that I was pregnant. My fiancé, Craig, and I were delighted. At the time, we were both smokers, and we occasionally drank alcohol. As soon as I discovered that I was pregnant, we both stopped smoking and gave up alcohol in order to give our baby a healthy start in life. In addition, I did research on all foods that are harmful to unborn babies and took pregnancy vitamins. I did all that to protect my unborn baby and give him the best possible start. I had a trouble-free pregnancy, and I worked until I was eight and a half months pregnant without a single day off due to sickness. My waters broke while I was at home. I informed the hospital, which advised me to go over to be checked, which I did. The midwife advised me that she would not bother swabbing me, as she could see that my waters had broken. I was sent home, and my contractions started after only a couple of hours. I went back to the hospital and was told that I was in labour. Eight and a half hours later, I gave birth to my beautiful, healthy son, Zach. We were kept in overnight and let home the following day. For the next two weeks, my son continued to grow into a happy, healthy and content baby. I could not believe how lucky I was, as he never cried other than when I changed him or when he was hungry. My family and friends were amazed at how often he smiled, as newborn babies tend to just sleep. My health visitor commented that she had never seen a healthier baby. On 14 August, when Zach was 12 days old, he was unsettled, which was unusual for him. Over the next few hours, he became worse, so I called an ambulance. He was rushed to hospital with a high temperature, and the doctors worked frantically on him. A few hours later, Craig and I were given the devastating news that he had bacterial meningitis and would probably not survive. He was then transferred to Yorkhill hospital. Sadly, he passed away at 3 pm on 15 August. I cannot begin to tell the committee how heartbroken Craig and I and our immediate families are. Zach was the first grandson in Craig’s family and the first grandchild for my parents. In a follow-up meeting with the consultants at Yorkhill hospital, I was horrified to discover that Zach had developed meningitis due to contracting group B strep during my labour. I had never heard of group B strep, and it was not discussed or tested for at any point during pregnancy or labour. I have lost where I am at.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Lab
Our next item of business is consideration of three new petitions. We will take evidence on two of them from the petitioners. The first new petition is PE15...
Shaheen McQuade
My son Zach is the reason why I am here today. I am here to explain my reasons for setting up a petition to raise awareness of and get better testing for gro...
The Convener
Lab
It is okay. Just take your time.
Shaheen McQuade
I have since discovered that group B strep can be identified by carrying out a simple swab test, which, I understand, costs £11. Had I been tested after my w...
The Convener
Lab
I thank you very much for giving evidence, Shaheen. That was very courageous of you. On behalf of the committee, I extend our sincerest condolences for the l...
Shaheen McQuade
I think that that is neglect. The NHS took a gamble with my son’s life and it lost. I showed the symptoms of group B strep. At the time, I did not know what ...
The Convener
Lab
From the investigations that you have done since the tragedy, do you think that the staff who were there—who I am sure did a very good job; I have never hear...
Shaheen McQuade
The NHS works on a risk-based strategy. When a woman is showing those symptoms, she should be tested. I think that I should have been tested. I have been try...
The Convener
Lab
Okay. I open up the discussion to other members of the committee who have questions.
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you for your evidence. The suffering that you and your family have gone through has touched my heart. I just want to make sure that I have picked up co...
Shaheen McQuade
Yes. I do not want any other parents and families to suffer what we have had to go through.
Hanzala Malik
Lab
I do not know what the NHS’s position would be on the matter aside from the fact that there is a financial implication, although I tend to agree that it woul...
The Convener
Lab
I am not the greatest mathematician in the world, but it does not take a genius to work out the overall cost. As the cost of the test is £11 per birth and th...
Shaheen McQuade
Definitely. If you calculate how £11 compares with the cost of Zach’s care when he was taken to hospital, which covered ambulances, the trip from Wishaw gene...
Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (SNP)
SNP
I note from our briefing that several parliamentary questions were asked on 19 November last year by Jim Hume MSP. He received a response from the Scottish G...
Shaheen McQuade
No. After Zach passed away, I got in touch with the group B strep support group, and they advised me that Jackie Watt had brought a petition to the Parliamen...
Angus MacDonald
SNP
It was never referred to.
Shaheen McQuade
No.
Angus MacDonald
SNP
Which health board covers your area?
The Convener
Lab
It is NHS Lanarkshire.
Hanzala Malik
Lab
I know that we are talking about figures and costs, but I do not think that those are relevant or what the committee should be worrying about. If we carried ...
The Convener
Lab
I am looking for suggestions as to how we should take the petition forward.
Jackson Carlaw
Con
It is clear from the briefing that the committee and Parliament have a long track record of raising the issue with the Government, but the collective tone of...
The Convener
Lab
That is my feeling. Shaheen McQuade is my constituent, and I have met her to talk about the circumstances. She is well versed in the arguments around the iss...
Angus MacDonald
SNP
Convener, you say that the test is working in other countries. Given that the petition will remain live, can we ask the Scottish Parliament information centr...
The Convener
Lab
We can do that to back up the petition. Again, I thank Shaheen and Craig for coming along. You have suffered a terrible loss, and it is courageous of you to...
Shaheen McQuade
Thank you.
Craig Blackie
Thank you.
The Convener
Lab
I suspend the meeting while the next petitioners come to the table. 10:20 Meeting suspended. 10:22 On resuming—