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Hundreds more cases in Shropshire baby deaths review Hundreds more cases in Shropshire baby deaths review
(about 1 hour later)
The number of cases uncovered by a maternity review at hospitals in Shropshire has more than doubled.The number of cases uncovered by a maternity review at hospitals in Shropshire has more than doubled.
An investigation by NHS Improvement has found more than 300 new cases of concern at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust (SaTh).An investigation by NHS Improvement has found more than 300 new cases of concern at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust (SaTh).
They are in addition to more than 250 cases that are already being investigated by the independent maternity review.They are in addition to more than 250 cases that are already being investigated by the independent maternity review.
Both NHSI and the Trust have been asked to comment.Both NHSI and the Trust have been asked to comment.
The new cases are understood to include still births and deaths of babies in the final stages of labour. BBC Social Affairs Correspondent Michael Buchanan said new cases were understood to include still births and deaths of babies in the final stages of labour.
They have come to light after NHSI asked SaTh for details on all cases of potential errors after the Department of Health ordered a review.They have come to light after NHSI asked SaTh for details on all cases of potential errors after the Department of Health ordered a review.
In April 2017, then Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced an investigation into a "cluster" of avoidable baby deaths at SaTH, which runs Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal.In April 2017, then Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced an investigation into a "cluster" of avoidable baby deaths at SaTH, which runs Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal.
The review, being led by midwife Donna Ockenden, initially focused on 23 cases in which maternity failings were alleged.The review, being led by midwife Donna Ockenden, initially focused on 23 cases in which maternity failings were alleged.
By March, 250 families had come forward, although it is understood not all the cases related to death or serious harm.By March, 250 families had come forward, although it is understood not all the cases related to death or serious harm.
The trust, which was put into special measures in November, was also made subject to "further urgent action" in May amid safety concerns over emergency and maternity services, following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).The trust, which was put into special measures in November, was also made subject to "further urgent action" in May amid safety concerns over emergency and maternity services, following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Analysis
By BBC Social Affairs Correspondent Michael Buchanan
NHS regulators have had to be dragged to acknowledge the potential scale of failings at this trust.
The original inquiry - into 23 allegations of harm - was instituted by two sets of parents going through newspaper clippings, and forcing the then health secretary to recognise their concerns and set up what has become known as the Ockenden Review.
These new cases were uncovered after NHSI finally put pressure on the trust last autumn to open up its books, rather than relying on families to highlight their own cases.
However, they didn't turn the screw until more than 18 months after Jeremy Hunt asked regulators to investigate the problems.
Not everyone whose case is being highlighted will have been failed.
But there was clearly a cultural problem at this trust, spanning more than a decade, that allowed far too many errors to be committed, allowed healthy babies to die or to be harmed unnecessarily.
The potential scale of those mistakes is now, perhaps finally, being revealed.
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