Hospital scandal behind 11 baby deaths

ELEVEN babies and a mother died because of a “lethal mix” of problems at a maternity unit, an inquiry ruled yesterday.

The probe into the “seriously dysfunctional” Furness General Hospital in Cumbria uncovered NHS failures “at every level” between 2004 and 2013.

Among “shocking” issues were sub- standard care and repeated failure to investigate incidents.

Staff to blame ranged from midwives who had an “overzealous” approach to natural childbirth, to those responsible for running the Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation which runs the unit.

The failings echo the Stafford Hospital scandal in which hundreds of patients died between 2005 and 2009.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called it a “second Mid Staffs” and said Morecambe Bay staff could face criminal charges and being struck off.

He said the Government would examine all 44 of the report’s recommendations and 18 would be implemented at once. NHS England medical

Trust director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh will review the professional codes of doctors and nurses to stop cover- ups. And a group similar to the Air Accident Investigation Branch could be created to probe deaths.

Mr Hunt told MPs: “There is no greater pain than losing a child and knowing it was because of mistakes that were covered up makes it worse.”

James Titcombe, whose son Joshua died aged nine days in 2008, said he was “sad, angry and vindicated” all at once.

Liza Brady, whose son Alex was asphyxiated by his umbilical cord, said she was “relieved” at finally being listened to.

Inquiry head Dr Bill Kirkup, said it found 20 major failures of care. Different care would have prevented the deaths of one mother and 11 babies.

The Morecambe Bay Trust said seven midwives had been disciplined with two being dismissed and five doctors faced disciplinary hearings.

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: “Bereaved families should never again have to fight in the way these families have to get answers.”