Bruce grandson death prompts nurse title reform
PA MediaHealth Secretary Wes Streeting has promised a legal crackdown on unregulated maternity services after the death of the four-month-old grandson of football manager Steve Bruce.
It comes after a coroner criticised the "misleading" use of the title "maternity nurse" in the death of Madison Bruce Smith who was found unresponsive by his dad in Trafford, Greater Manchester, on 18 October 2024.
A maternity nurse – without medical qualifications – suggested Madison should be placed on his front to help him sleep despite established medical advice against it, the inquest heard.
Labour MP Connor Rand asked Streeting on Tuesday for an update on what he is doing to prevent a repeat of such a "tragedy"
Streeting told the Commons: "I thank my honorable friend for raising that absolutely horrific case. My sincere condolences go to the family for the loss of this poor baby.
"No patient should ever believe that someone is a trained professional, only to discover that they have no formal qualifications.
"This government is protecting the professional title of nurse, so that no other families have to endure the suffering of his constituents.
"We will shortly be seeking widespread input to get that right, and we will be making changes in this Parliament."
Rand had asked: "As it stands, anyone can call themselves a maternity nurse and create the illusion of expertise, all while providing life-threatening advice on sleep for babies.
"I know that the Secretary of State is aware of this case and is working on this issue, but can he provide an update on what he is doing to prevent a tragedy such as the one in my constituency?"
The infant was found unresponsive at the family home and was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His parents had employed a maternity nurse through a company named Ruthie Maternity Services after their son had difficulty sleeping in the afternoons.
Alison Mutch, senior coroner for Manchester South, has written a Prevention Of Future Deaths report calling on the government to regulate the use of the word "nurse".
She said: "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."
The inquest heard Madison's father, former Leeds United player Matt Smith, and his wife, Bruce's daughter Amy, had employed Eva Clements from a firm called Ruthie Maternity Services and believed she was skilled, trained and vetted and from a was well-established company.
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