Glasgow doctor accused of botched baby delivery, worried about missing vacation flight

GLASGOW, Ky. – A Kentucky doctor is accused of a botched baby delivery while worrying about missing his vacation flight.

A complaint has been filed against Gerald W. Thorpe, M. D. as a result of the incident that took place at T.J Samson Community Hospital in Glasgow. That filing can be read here.

According to the complaint, on September 13th, 2020, Dr. Thorpe said to another physician during a delivery, “I need you to do this C-section, I have to leave for vacation.”

A grievance submitted to the board in October by Dr. John Craddock stated that the patient was then rolled into the room with no one to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord. Dr. Craddock went on to say that the patient was then placed under general anesthesia and soon after, a very unresponsive infant was delivered and taken to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). He also noted that the infant was pale gray and the head was extremely bruised due to the use of forceps and a vacuum device during delivery.

Dr. Craddock further told the licensure board that the patient’s nurse quoted Dr. Thorpe as having said, “If I don’t put a vacuum or forceps on, I will miss my flight.”

According to the complaint, the husband of the patient said Dr. Thorpe told him that this was all God’s will and then prayed with him.

As a result of the investigation, Dr. Thorpe’s license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Kentucky has been restricted and he is prohibited from performing or participating in any delivery.

According to the complaint, Thorpe has a history of eight malpractice suits, two of which were pending at the time of his application to practice medicine in Kentucky in 2015.