Wales Woman Instructs Medical Negligence Lawyers To Secure Answers Following Life-Saving Emergency Surgery

A mum is calling for lessons to be learned after a Health Board admitted she developed a life-threatening perforated bowel because of failings in her care following childbirth. 

Farrah Moseley-Brown suffered a torn bowel and developed sepsis after medics at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff didn’t undertake scans or seek the opinion of surgeons when she became constipated following the birth of her second child, Clay, in May 2020.  

Two days after she was sent home, Farrah was re-admitted to hospital complaining of stomach pain. Farrah, of Rhoose, Barry, spent three nights in hospital between 12 and 15 May 2020, but was sent home again. The following day she was re-admitted to hospital for a second time complaining of pain around her hip.

Farrah diagnosed with perforated bowel and sepsis

Following tests, she was diagnosed with a perforated bowel and sepsis – where the body attacks itself in response to an infection. Farrah, aged 27, underwent emergency surgery and remained in hospital for three weeks. She now has a stoma and still suffers from fatigue and stomach pain, as well as muscle and joint pain. She is reliant on her family to help care for her and her children. 

Medical negligence lawyers investigate mum's care

Following her “ordeal”, Farrah, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers to investigate her care under Cardiff and Vale University Health Board - which runs  University Hospital of Wales – and help her access the specialist support she requires to maximise her recovery.

Farrah has now joined her legal team in warning of the dangers of sepsis and calling for lessons to be learned. 

Health Board admit breach of duty 

It comes after the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board admitted a breach of duty in her care. Following Farrah’s first re-admission to hospital between 12 and 15 May the Board admitted it failed to undertake further scans or arrange a surgical opinion to diagnose Farrah’s condition. 

If it wasn’t for the breach of duty Farrah wouldn’t have developed a bowel infection, wouldn’t have suffered a perforated bowel and wouldn’t have needed bowel surgery or to have a stoma fitted, the Board admitted. 

Farrah’s legal team and the Health Board are now working towards a settlement which will fund the ongoing care and support she needs. 

James Pink is a specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Cardiff office, representing Farrah.

Expert Opinion

“Constipation can be common in women after giving birth and in some cases such as Farrah’s can lead to incredibly serious and life-threatening conditions if not treated correctly.

“The last few years and coming to terms with the physical and psychological impact of what happened has been incredibly difficult for her.

“Understandably she had a number of concerns about her care and while nothing can make up for what happened we’re pleased that we’ve been able to provide Farrah with the answers she deserves.

“Sadly, worrying issues in the care Farrah received have been admitted and it’s now vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety for others.” James Pink

Medical negligence: Farrah Moseley-Brown's story

Farrah delivered her second son Clay on 7 May, 2020. Hours later she underwent surgery to stem bleeding after losing around two-and-a-half pints of blood. She underwent a blood transfusion. 

The following day Farrah, who also has a son, Cohan aged six, started complaining of constipation. She received treatment for the condition and was discharged home on 10 May.

Two days later she called the hospital complaining of stomach pain and issues with keeping food down and was re-admitted. She received further treatment for constipation and underwent a stomach X-ray. Farrah returned home on 15 May. 

Farrah was taken back by ambulance to hospital for a second time at around 1pm the following day - 16 May. She had a fever, raised heart rate and was breathing rapidly. 

Doctors believed she had a womb infection and sepsis. The following day she underwent a CT scan and was diagnosed with a perforated bowel for which she underwent surgery. 

Farrah issues sepsis warning as she reveals how her life has changed

Farrah said: “Shortly after giving birth to Clay the pain started and as the days passed it felt like it was getting worse. I had a feeling that I constantly needed the toilet but I couldn’t go. 

“When I was home the pain continued to get worse. I was in absolute agony and spent hours curled up in a ball it was that bad and I knew I needed to go back to hospital. 

“Once back in hospital although I was in pain I felt slightly reassured thinking I would get the care I needed. When I was told I could go home a second time I wasn’t sure as the pain was still there but I trusted what I was being told. That night at home was the worst of my life, I was in so much pain and could hardly function. 

“Because of the pain my body was trying to sleep and everything is a blur. All I remember is an ambulance being called and the day after arriving back in hospital being told I was going to be put to sleep because I had a perforated bowel and without urgent treatment I could die. 

“It’s more than two years since my operation but my life still isn’t what it was before this ordeal. I try not to let it affect me but I’m conscious of my stoma and try and wear baggy clothes to disguise it. I’m still living in pain and while I try my best I’m not able to look after my boys it’s sometimes a struggle. Even little things like picking them up to give them a cuddle can be difficult. 

“Nothing will ever make up for the hurt and pain I’ve been through and continue to face but at least I now have answers. I just hope that by speaking out others don’t have to go through what I have as I wouldn’t wish it anyone.”

The signs of sepsis

Signs of sepsis include slurred speech, confusion, extreme shivering and muscle pain, passing no urine in a day, severe breathlessness and mottled or discoloured skin. More information can be found on the website of the charity UK Sepsis Trust.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients affected by care failings at our dedicated medical negligence section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.