NHS trust baby deaths review widened to 100 cases

Inquiry into maternity unit ‘errors’ that led to injuries and fatalities is expanded as families come forward

A REVIEW into the deaths and injuries of babies at a scandal-hit NHS maternity unit is now looking at more than 100 cases, it is understood.

In January 2017 Jeremy Hunt, then

the health secretary, ordered an independent inquiry led by Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife, to examine 23 cases of mother and baby deaths and injuries at hospitals in Shropshire. It is now believed that the review into Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust (SATH) is examining cases involving up to 104 families, according to the BBC.

Meanwhile, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has taken urgent action against the maternity department.

The extent of alleged malpractice between 1998 and 2017 threatens a

scandal bigger than that of Morecambe Bay, which saw the avoidable deaths of 11 babies and one mother.

Now the team being led by Ms Ockenden is looking into allegations that some babies born at the trust between 2000 and 2017 suffered avoidable harm due to errors by maternity staff.

In August, an NHS Improvement spokesman said it had agreed “to consider additional historical investigations where women, infants and newborn babies had died or suffered harm”. At the time the trust said these

cases were already in the public domain, but it is now understood that at least 104 families have come forward wanting their cases to be considered.

Dr Kathy Mclean, the NHS Improvement chief operating officer, said: “At this stage, we are unable to confirm how many historical cases will be considered... We are examining in detail anything that may be relevant, ensuring that possible duplication is taken into account.”

Deirdre Fowler, the SATH director of nursing, midwifery and quality, added:

“We recognise that, taken in isolation, the number of cases ... may cause concern or anxiety for families currently using our services. It is important that any families who have questions or concerns over their care are given the chance to have them explored.”

Parents claim they were pressured into natural births and that caesarean or forceps-assisted deliveries would have prevented brain damage. Some deaths were also blamed on the failure of midwives to properly monitor foetal heart rates and detect infection. Prof

Ted Baker, the CQC’S chief inspector of hospitals, confirmed it was taking further enforcement action against SATH following an inspection last month that highlighted safety fears “within the trust’s maternity services”.

The trust said it “continues to engage fully” with the CQC “during our current, ongoing inspection”.

A SATH spokesman said: “In line with normal CQC processes, we will be making representations to them in respect of this matter within the permitted 28-day time frame.”