Expert says East Kent NHS Trust baby death response disappointing

An expert who wrote a damning report into the trust’s baby death scandal has branded the government’s initial response as “disappointing”.

Dr Bill Kirkup’s review last year found that at least 45 babies might have survived with better care at East Kent NHS.

Although women’s health minister Maria Caulfield said the government is working with the trust to improve patient safety, Dr Kirkup said the government had not recognised the “full depth and difficulty” of the problems.

He said “I’m very disappointed that it’s taken this long and that all we have is an initial response, and that it does not go nearly far enough in my view to address the depth and complexity of the issues that we’ve identified.”

The Royal College of Midwives described the statement as “lacklustre” and baby loss charities Tommy’s and Sands said “much greater detail” was needed.

Chief executive of the trust Tracey Fletcher, said “We have fully accepted all of the findings of Dr Kirkup’s report and remain committed to making the necessary improvements.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record.  The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence.  He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims.  Tony also acts as a Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled.  Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.  Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win, no fee solicitors for free legal advice on Freephone 0800 304 7382