Baby Madison Bruce-Smith died after being put to bed on his stomach at night by a woman claiming to be a 'maternity nurse', multiple reports indicate. Madison was found unresponsive by his father on the morning of 18 October 2024 and could not be resuscitated, according to multiple reports. He was pronounced dead at Wythenshawe Hospital. Senior Coroner Alison Mutch said Madison died while asleep in his cot having been placed in a prone and unsafe sleeping position. The baby's grandfather, former football manager Steve Bruce, said on social media that it had been the worst time of his family's entire lives and was something no family should have to endure. Madison's father, Matt Smith, added at a press conference that losing Madison had been utterly excruciating.
Madison's parents employed Eva Clements through the company Ruthie Maternity Services, multiple reports indicate. Eva Clements had no official medical qualifications, according to multiple reports. Ruth Asare, head of Ruthie Maternity Services, had no medical qualifications other than a first aid certificate and a Level 2 diploma in post-natal care, major media reports. The specific legal consequences, if any, that Eva Clements or Ruthie Maternity Services will face following the inquest into Madison's death remain unclear.
Okay, thank you.
During the night, Madison's parents expressed concern about him being on his front, but Eva Clements advised them to leave him, major media reports. Eva Clements used apps and TikTok on her phone during the night while caring for Madison, major media reports. Eva Clements observed Madison on a baby monitor when he woke up during the night but did not enter his room, multiple reports indicate.
Coroner Alison Mutch called for regulation of services and the title 'nurse' to prevent misleading impressions of expertise. A Royal College of Nursing spokesperson said this case highlights the urgent need to protect the title of nurse. What specific actions the government will take in response to the coroner's call for regulation of maternity nurse services and the title 'nurse' is not yet known.
This baby can cry.
In a related case, a baby died after being given an antihistamine by a nanny who probably wanted to sedate him, a coroner has ruled, major media reports. The exact circumstances leading to this death, including the nanny's identity and current employment status, have not been disclosed.
Another inquest found failures by the Metropolitan Police in investigating the death of an eight-week-old baby boy, major media reports. What specific failures the Metropolitan Police committed in this investigation, and whether there will be disciplinary action, has not been detailed.
Madison died in circumstances where his cause of death could not be ascertained while asleep in his cot having been placed in a prone and unsafe sleeping position.
Broader concerns about the lack of national regulation for childcare providers have been raised. The coroner expressed concern there is no national regulation system for nannies, according to Coroner Fiona Wilcox. How widespread the use of unregulated maternity nurses or nannies is in the UK, and what the current oversight mechanisms are, remains uncertain. In a separate case, a nursery and a member of its staff have admitted responsibility for the death of 14-month-old Noah Sibanda, multiple reports indicate.
I hope the services can be regulated and, going forward, parents are not left in a situation where they believe they are employing someone who is qualified to advise them when they are clearly unqualified.
It's been the worst time of my family's entire lives and is something no family should have to endure.
Losing Madison has been utterly excruciating.
Any person can describe themselves as a maternity nurse or a sleep nurse or a post-natal nurse. No qualifications are required and there is no regulation of persons holding themselves out as maternity nurses or the agencies that offer training courses or their services.