Baby's fingertip cut off in Waikato Hospital

A nurse reportedly removed the tube with scissors and took the tip of Lilly's finger off in the process. Photo / Givealittle

A baby has had her fingertip accidentally cut off at Waikato Hospital.

Lilly, 3 days old at the time, had a tube inserted for fluids in her left hand. Part of the tube was taped to her pinky.

A nurse removed the tube with scissors and took the tip of Lilly's finger off in the process.

Neonatal intensive care clinical director Dr David Bourchier confirmed "the tip of a baby's finger was accidentally cut off" recently.

"We acknowledge this is very distressing for the family and we have apologised to the parents. This kind of incident is very unusual and we are treating it very seriously.

"We are undertaking our own internal review and will share the findings with the parents. The incident is also the subject of an HDC [Health and Disability Commissioner] complaint."

The finger was reattached, but Lilly's mother, Marie Campbell, said the surgery did not take, and the fingertip had gone black.

ACC has not yet agreed whether it will cover costs. In the meantime, Lilly's mother has set up a Givealittle page.

"I have to travel back and forth from my rural home to her hospital appointments (around 30kms each way), a cost I cannot afford," Campbell said on the page.

"I don't want to attack anyone here, I am currently dealing with hospital officials about the next steps to take about what happened but I am struggling to keep up, especially without a car.

"I would not have been in this financial situation if this did not happen to Lilly. It was no fault of my own. I am just hoping for a small bit to get by."

So far, $200 has been donated.