MANCHESTER United legend Steve Bruce’s four-month-old grandson died after being placed in an unsafe sleeping position by a nurse, an inquest has heard.
Madison Bruce Smith was found unresponsive by his father, ex-Leeds United and Fulham striker Matt Smith, on the morning of October 18, 2024.
The infant could not be resuscitated at home in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and was rushed to hospital.
Despite the best efforts of medics, four-month-old Madison was tragically pronounced dead by paramedics after arriving at Wythenshawe Hospital.
Matt Smith and baby Madison’s mother, Steve Bruce‘s daughter Amy, had employed unregulated nurse Eva Clements after their son had difficulties sleeping in the afternoons.
The couple believed Clements, who was employed by Ruthie Maternity Services, was fully trained and vetted, the court heard.
The inquest was also told Eva and Matt had believed the company employing Clements was a well-established maternity and sleep support service.
Conducting an inquest into baby Madison’s death however, Stockport Coroner’s Court heard that neither the company or nurse was regulated.
Ruth Asare, head of Ruthie Maternity Services, said she had no medical qualifications and had only a first aid certificate and a Level 2 diploma in post-natal care.
She gained her diploma from a three-day course and a six-month coursework project, the court heard.
Clements said she had a degree in early years education but admitted she had no medical qualifications.
The inquest heard Madison’s parents would “never have dreamed” of putting their son asleep in the prone position.
But the maternity nurse reportedly advised them that all four of her own babies had slept on their stomachs and had no problems.
Official health advice states young babies should be placed to sleep on their backs to reduce risk of a sudden and unexpected death.
Senior coroner for south Manchester, Alison Mutch, delivered a short, narrative conclusion to the inquest.
She said: “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.”
The coroner added that the “purported expertise” of untrained people posed a risk to all children where those unregulated services were used.
Mutch would go on to issue a prevention of future deaths report to the Secretary of State for Health, calling for urgent action.
In her report she said: “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.”
She went on: “We have been told that in effect any of us could leave the building today and call ourselves a maternity nurse as while the term registered nurse is strictly controlled, the term nurse is not.
“It gives an illusion of someone who is highly trained and able to support parents.”
The court heard that Clements slept in a different room to baby Madison but was responsible for checking on him.
Despite the infant being heard stirring several times during the night and crying Clements had not gone into the nursery, the court was told.
Madison’s parents, together with Bruce and his son, ex-footballer Alex, attended the hearing today.
Former Manchester United player Bruce was managing Blackpool FC at the time of the incident and missed the club’s following game.
In a message posted on the club’s official X account said: “It’s been the worst time of my family’s entire lives and is something no family should have to endure.”
In a statement read to the court today, Madison’s dad said the couple’s son was their “precious, perfect little boy”.
He said: “Losing Madison has been utterly excruciating. The pain is indescribable and often too much to bear.
“It has totally shattered our entire family.
“We believe that Madison died in a complete regulatory vacuum. Without regulation this will happen again and other parents will place trust in individuals who should not be in the care of infants.”
The website of Ruthie Maternity Services states: states: “Ruthie Maternity Services believe having the right maternity nurse who understands all the elements in caring for your baby – like feeding and sleep training whilst incorporating the right activities – will achieve the perfect routine for your family.”
The company trained individuals on one-day courses for a fee of £450, the inquest heard.
Ruth Asare told the coroner that those she trained were given the safe sleeping advice to put babies on their backs.
However, Clements said she had been taught by Ruth to put babies on their tummies.
She denied telling Madison’s mum she was a nurse and also denied suggestions she had “convinced her” that the prone position was appropriate.
Lisa Judge, representing the boy’s parents, said: “Do you remember mum’s last words to you that night? That if there was any problem whatsoever to come and wake her up.”
Ms Clements replied: “No, I don’t remember that.”
The court heard police conducted an investigation and arrested Ms Clement on suspicion of neglect.
Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Matthew Dixon, of Greater Manchester Police, said the Crown Prosecution Service was approached for directions and guidance, and it was identified that the criminal threshold had not been met.
