Cops probe 1,200 cases at baby deaths hospital trust

BEREAVED Rhiannon Davies

THE hospital trust behind the biggest maternity scandal in NHS history is now being probed by police.

Dozens of babies and several mums died amid failings at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust from 1979 to 2017.

An independent investigation led by top midwife Donna Ockenden is looking at nearly 1,200 potential cases of negligence during the period.

It said in an interim report last year that doctors, midwives and bosses worked unchecked in a “toxic” culture for 40 years.

Care at the Trust has been under the spotlight since April 2017, when it was revealed mums and babies died unnecessarily.

The separate Ockenden Inquiry is probing whether babies suffered brain damage because staff failed to realise or act on signs labour was going wrong. Possible failure to adequately monitor heartbeats during labour is also subject to the probe.

West Mercia Police will be investigating whether there is enough evidence to obtain convictions for wrongdoing. It could lead to individual charges or a corporate manslaughter charge for the Trust.

Richard Stanton and Rhiannon Davies lost their baby, Kate, when she was just six hours old in 2009. An inquest found her death was avoidable.

Richard said: “This doesn’t fill me with any happiness but is definitely a huge relief. This is something that is so dear to us, to get accountability for Kate.”

West Mercia Police held a meeting with Ms Ockenden, who is leading the independent probe, and representatives from Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust in London this week.

West Mercia Police Assistant Chief Con Geoff Wessell said: “We can confirm that a police investigation will be conducted to explore whether there is evidence to support a criminal case either against the Trust or any individuals involved.

“The investigation is now live so we are unable to comment any further at this time.”