Health chiefs to probe 26 more baby deaths at maternity unit after one was ruled ‘wholly avoidable’
AN investigation has been launched into a further 26 maternity cases after the “wholly avoidable” death of a baby.
The inquiry into the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust was announced by Health Minister Nadine Dorries.
It followed an inquest last week into the death of seven-day-old Harry Richford at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, Kent, in November 2017.
Midwives had to deliver Harry by caesarean section because he was in a back-to-back position.
His heart rate was falling and he should have been delivered within 30 minutes, experts said, but it took 90 minutes.
After his birth, which involved an inexperienced locum, it took 28 minutes to resuscitate him.
If he had been revived within ten to 15 minutes he would not have suffered the brain damage which killed him.
Coroner Christopher Sutton-Mattocks said Harry’s parents, Maternity unit probing 26 cases after coroner rule baby's death 'wholly avoidable'teachers Sarah and Tom, were “failed by the hospital”.
He told the Maidstone hearing: “More importantly, Harry was failed.”
The probe comes amid reports that at least seven preventable baby deaths may have occurred at the trust since 2016.
In Parliament yesterday, Labour MP Rosie Duffield asked if there would be a full public inquiry.
Ms Dorries said the Care Quality Commission held an investigation into the trust last week and would take any necessary enforcement action.
She said she had asked for a summary report on Monday. She added: “Also, the health service inspection board has examined 26 individual maternity cases at the trust and have already reported on 15.
“They have also been asked to complete their work within 14 days and send a summary report to give us further information.”
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