Baby deaths probed by police

DETECTIVES last night launched a criminal investigation into Britain’s biggest maternity scandal.

Police announced they had begun an inquiry into failings at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust, where dozens of babies died or suffered avoidable brain damage.

The dramatic development came after a meeting yesterday with Department of Health officials and midwife Donna Ockenden, who is leading an independent inquiry into more than 1, 00 cases dating back to the 1970s.

It raises the prospect that those involved in maternity care at the trust could face criminal charges over the scandal, whose shocking scale was exposed by the Daily Mail.

Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Wessell, of West Mercia Police, 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.’

Concerns were first raised about the

Shrewsbury and Telford maternity unit in 009 following the death of baby Kate Stanton-Davies.

A report found her death was avoidable and it criticised two midwives for failing to realise the birth was high risk and for ignoring her parents’ concerns.

Dozens of other parents then came forward, fearing their babies’ deaths could also have been avoided.

Louise Barnett, chief executive at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, said it would ‘fully co-operate with the investigation’. She added: ‘We are aware that a police investigation will be conducted by West Mercia Police to explore whether there is evidence to support a criminal case either against the Trust or any individuals involved, following complaints made against the Trust in relation to maternity services and provision.’