'I had goals to be the best mam possible'

MUM CALLS FOR CHANGE AT HOSPITAL AFTER CLAIMS OF 'MISHANDLED BIRTH'

- By STUART ARNOLD

A NEW mum is calling for changes at a Teesside hospital after criticising the treatment she received there.

Niki Cotson has launched an online petition for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust to be placed into special measures due to what she describes as serious failings.

As well as her own unsatisfactory experience during a pregnancy, Ms Cotson claims to have personally collated more than 100 testimonials from patients, with complaints over infection control, delayed treatment, staffing levels and incomplete medical records among the list.

The trust said it would not comment on individual cases, but said it was dedicated to ensuring safe, quality care and would support any complainant raising legitimate concerns.

Bosses have been in touch with Ms Cotson, from Hartlepool, who gave birth to her son Thomas at Stockton’s University Hospital of North Tees in April last year, after she posted online about her experience.

The 31-year-old claimed her labour and postnatal care were “marked by significant clinical neglect”. Ms Cotson said: “I suffered severe, unrelenting back pain that masked the typical pattern of contractions.

“My pain was repeatedly dismissed. During labour, I began to lose strength and control in my lower body, especially around my back and hips, and became temporarily unable to move.