Hunt orders medical malpractice review

♦ Jeremy Hunt has ordered an urgent review of medical malpractice cases following concerns over a recent manslaughter case involving a doctor.

Dr Hadiza Bawa-garba was struck off after she was found guilty of mistakes in the care of Jack Adcock, a six-year-old boy who died of sepsis.

The case has been met with a backlash among medics, with thousands sending letters of support for the doctor, saying the decision ignored NHS failings and staff shortages which contributed to the death. Dr Bawa-garba was originally suspended for 12 months last June by a tribunal, but was struck off following a High Court appeal by the General Medical Council (GMC), which said the original decision was “not sufficient to protect the public”.

Mr Hunt, the Health and Social Care Secretary, said clarity was needed about drawing the line between gross negligence and ordinary errors, and announced that Sir Norman Williams will lead a national “rapid review” of the application of such laws.