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That is four babies removed into care in Walsall from this woman :-0 :-0
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People don't realise how easily it can happen
11 March 2014 Last updated at 09:21 Share this pageEmailPrint
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Social media account used to give birth undetected
By Michele Paduano
BBC Midlands health correspondent
The incident came to light when the real mother-to-be turned up to a GP appointment
A pregnant woman who had already had three children taken away from her used another woman's identity from a social networking site in order to give birth undetected.
The mother, who has not been identified, was able to leave Walsall Manor Hospital with her newborn child in August 2013.
A document sent to Black Country Hospital bosses said she had obtained information from a social networking site about another woman who was booked to deliver her baby in a neighbouring trust's hospital.
The incident only came to light when when the genuine mother-to-be attended a GP appointment while she was still pregnant. Her GP had notes to show she was supposed to have given birth on 31 August.
The document obtained by the BBC shows that the woman who stole the identity referred herself to Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, while in labour, and provided the trust will all the details of her assumed identity and pregnancy.
She did not have her hand-held records with her, as is usual practice, telling hospital staff that they were with the community midwife.
The hospital midwife phoned to confirm the pregnancy details with the other hospital. Checks were made against the other woman's identity.
An investigation revealed that the fraudulent woman had previously delivered three children, all of whom had been removed and placed in the care of the local authority. The baby has now been removed from her care.
A document sent to Black Country Hospital bosses warns them of "dangers" that social networking sites can pose.
The Walsall Healthcare Trust said the incident resulted in a serious investigation, and procedures for admission and discharge had been strengthened.
Health, social care and police services are now to insist on formal identification of anyone who turns up without their notes. A discharge may be delayed until identity is confirmed.
Richard Kirby, chief executive at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said it was a rare incident but hospitals had to be vigilant.
"The incident which related to an identity theft by an individual using our maternity service resulted in a serious incident investigation both internally and across a multi-agency network, he said in a letter.
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