Panel discusses findings of probe into baby deaths

An expert panel looking into the baby deaths scandal at East Kent Hospitals met on Monday for the first time to discuss its findings so far.

Bereaved families who have lost a baby - dating back as far as 2009 - have been giving their personal experiences over the last two months to investigators as part of the independent review being led by Dr Bill Kirkup.

He has led probes into numerous public service failures, including the 11 baby deaths at Morecambe Bay, the Hillsborough tragedy and the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Dr Kirkup is being assisted by five experts across the fields of obstetrics, midwifery, neonatal medicine, clinical governance and information management to look at maternity services at the trust, which runs the QEQM in Margate and William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, dating back over a decade.

Shocking incidents were exposed this year, sparked by the inquest of baby Harry Richford, who died at one week old following a string of failures at the QEQM and whose death was deemed “wholly avoidable” by the coroner.

Cases of other preventable baby deaths emerged and a report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, dating back to 2015 but not made public at the time, was thrown into the spotlight showing numerous concerns about maternity services. It was then revealed the Health Safety Investigation Branch was carrying out 26 maternity investigations at the trust including other baby deaths.

The Kirkup review, announced by the government in February, has been carrying out the first phase of its work which involves contacting affected families.

Monday’s meeting looked at what has been learned so far and considered the next steps.

Dr Kirkup says his investigation will call on a wide range of expertise across the field of maternity care.

It will also be supported by two specialist advisers, Nicky Lyon and James Titcombe, both of whom lost children due to maternity failures at hospitals outside of Kent and have since campaigned for patient safety.

Dr Kirkup thanked families and the trust for engaging with the investigation.

The probe will look at the maternity and neonatal services provided by the trust.

The panel will meet more families next month.

Families wanting to get in touch can visit www.iiekms. org.uk.