Seven-week-old Fernwood baby left fighting for life after mother told nothing was wrong by Balderton Primary Care doctors

A seven-week-old baby was left fighting for his life after his mother was twice told there was nothing wrong.

Mother-of-five Courtney Nixon took her newborn son Colton Weir to Balderton Primary Care twice and was told that Colton’s symptoms were normal.

However, as a mother, Courtney said she felt that there was something more to it.

She took him to Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham and, within ten minutes of their arrival, Colton was taken into intensive care.

“They were just expecting a child that was dehydrated not critically ill,” she said.

“If I hadn’t taken him he would have died.

“By 2pm he was in critical care fighting for his life. He had 76 oxygen, but it dropped as low as the 50/40s. If the doctors had done an oxygen read (at Balderton Primary Care) they would have known he was struggling.

“I have five children, that’s why I knew as a mother that something wasn’t right, but if he had been my first I would have put my trust in that doctor.”

A spokesman for the practice has said: “The care of our patients is always our top priority and we review all concerns thoroughly.

“We cannot comment on individual cases for reasons of patient confidentiality.”

Courtney’s concern stemmed from the fact her two-year-old had bronchitis and she was worried Colton also had it.

Courtney, of Fernwood, said: “I took him to the doctors on Monday (of last week) as he started to vomit every bottle and was struggling to breathe but the doctor said it was normal to vomit every feed and his breathing was fine ­— it was just normal newborn breathing.

“They said he’s fine take him home there’s nothing more they can do.

“We went back to the doctors on Tuesday morning as his soft spot had sunken in. The doctor said he was just dehydrated, and they just still said it was normal new born breathing.”

Because of Colton’s dehydration Balderton Primary Care recommended Courtney take him to QMC on Tuesday, where he was diagnosed with bronchitis.

Colton remained in the intensive care unit until Thursday, and then on to Ward E47. He was supported with NG feeding tubes and given high oxygen to help him breathe.

He was discharged on Saturday.

Courtney said she was frustrated at the lack of support from Balderton Primary Care and feels the severity of Colton’s condition could have been avoided if the practice had checked his oxygen levels when she first took him in.

She said: “I spoke to a senior doctor who said they would be making some changes now, saying that every child will get their oxygen checked and listened to by a doctor but why should my child be a guinea pig?

“This is a seven-week-old baby, it’s not as if he can speak out for himself.”