GA (A Female Child Aged 13 Months), In the Matter Of

Ms S Simpson KC with Ms L Murphy (instructed by the Directorate of Legal Services) for the Trust

Mr H Toner KC with Ms E Ryan (instructed by Brendan Kearney & Co solicitors) for the parents

Mr G McGuigan KC with Ms C McCloskey (instructed by Quigley, Grant & Kyle solicitors) for the children�s court guardian on behalf of the child

[3]������ The Trust became aware of the mother�s pregnancy when contacted by the father in November 2021.� Communication between social workers and health professionals with the parents was difficult with both parents adopting a loud, aggressive, and argumentative tone.� The mother had a midwifery appointment on 15 December 2021, but she later declined to attend for a booked scan on 4 March 2022.� In all eight scan appointments were missed by the mother during this period.

[5]������ The birth on 21 April 2022 was not without incident with an emergency Caesarean section and transfer later that day to the neo-natal ward for tube feeding.� During this period both parents presented to medical staff as aggressive with fluctuating co-operation.