Neonatal deaths

SIR – The Health Secretary’s proposed changes to how stillborn and neonatal deaths are investigated (report, November 28) are long overdue.

I gave birth to a living son at 26 weeks, 41 years ago. Our baby died. I was seriously ill and my husband was traumatised. We were persuaded to agree to the birth being logged as 24 weeks in order to avoid a funeral, and were told that “these things just happen”. It appears that shamefully little has changed.

It is essential that this new legal oversight, together with a coroner’s inquiry, brings clarity and understanding to those coping with a child’s death and focuses NHS maternity care on its failings. Eileen Fossett

Corby Glen, Lincolnshire