Police in baby death inquiry
UNPRECENDENTED NUMBER OF DEATHS
POLICE have launched a criminal investigation into the death of 15 babies at a Cheshire hospital.
It will look at the deaths of eight babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.
Detectives will also review a further seven deaths during that time.
Investigators have been called in after hospital bosses raised the alarm over the unprecedented number of deaths.
Bosses at The Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust contacted Cheshire Constabulary about neonatal services at the hospital to determine whether any of the deaths may have been the result of criminal action.
This was in relation to a ‘greater number’ of baby deaths and collapses than normally expected during the year-long period.
Police will also look at six ‘nonfatal collapses’ of infants which occurred at the hospital during this time.
The hospital has also flagged up a number of independent reviews which it has commissioned into these deaths.
Hospital bosses have apologised for the ‘distress and heartache’ the investigation may cause.
Detective Chief Superintendent Nigel Wenham, of Cheshire Constabulary, said the investigation will focus on the deaths of eight babies between that period ‘where medical practitioners have expressed concern.’
He said: “In addition the investigation will also conduct a review of a further seven baby deaths and six non-fatal collapses during the same period.
“We recognise that this investigation will have a significant impact on all of the families involved, staff and patients at the hospital and the public.
“Parents of the babies are being updated on the investigation and will be supported throughout the process by specially trained officers. We are committed to carrying out the investigation as quickly as possible.”
An independent clinical review into neonatal services at the hospital was carried out by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health earlier this year. The report gave 24 recommendations for improvement – now underway – and included a detailed case note review by an independent neonatologist. This was ‘unable to answer all of the questions regarding the cause of death for a number of babies.’ A hospital spokeswoman said: “The trust and its doctors have continuing concerns about the unexplained deaths and are very keen to understand that everything possible has been done to help determine the causes of death in our neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. “As a hospital, we have taken the clinical review as far as we can. We have now asked for the input of Cheshire police to seek assurances that enable us to rule out unnatural causes of death.” Hospital medical director, Ian Harvey, said: “Approaching the police is not something we have undertaken lightly. This is to ensure we have been completely thorough.” Det Chf Supt Nigel Wenham