THE heartbroken parents of a baby girl who died just hours after birth, claim she could have survived had hospital staff acted more quickly during the birth.

At an inquest in Bristol, doctors from Bath's Royal United Hospital said they had altered the way midwives change shifts following the death of Tiegan Harbour-Burgess, but denied they were to blame.

Tiegan died 36 hours after birth on April 10 last year after complications with her breathing. Doctors said she had suffered from a lack of oxygen before and after birth.

Parents Denise Burgess and Jason Harbour, formerly of Chippenham, and now living in Corsham, claimed if action had been taken earlier she would still be alive.

In a statement read after the inquest, Mr Harbour said: "Despite the professional opinions to the contrary, we feel in our heart of hearts that baby Tiegan would have had a better chance had prompt action been taken when problems first arose."

But doctors told the inquest that Tiegan's care had not been compromised, and even if she had been delivered earlier, there would have been no change to the outcome.

They said they gave Tiegan antibiotics and fluids, and X-rays and a scan were taken. She was also given oxygen. But Tiegan later died in her parents' arms.

Deputy coroner Brian Whitehouse said he was certain Tiegan's condition had not been aggravated by a lack of care. He recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.