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| Elizabeth Dixon death inquiry 'exposes 20-year cover-up' of mistakes | Elizabeth Dixon death inquiry 'exposes 20-year cover-up' of mistakes |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Elizabeth Dixon died when a nurse failed to clear her breathing tubes | Elizabeth Dixon died when a nurse failed to clear her breathing tubes |
| The death of a premature baby in 2001 led to a "20-year cover-up" of mistakes by health workers, an independent inquiry has found. | The death of a premature baby in 2001 led to a "20-year cover-up" of mistakes by health workers, an independent inquiry has found. |
| Elizabeth Dixon, from Hampshire, died due to a blocked breathing tube shortly before her first birthday. | Elizabeth Dixon, from Hampshire, died due to a blocked breathing tube shortly before her first birthday. |
| The government, which ordered the inquiry in 2017, said the mistakes in her care were "shocking and harrowing". | The government, which ordered the inquiry in 2017, said the mistakes in her care were "shocking and harrowing". |
| The inquiry report by Dr Bill Kirkup said some of those involved had been "persistently dishonest". | |
| Her parents, Graeme and Anne Dixon, have spent 20 years campaigning for answers over the death | Her parents, Graeme and Anne Dixon, have spent 20 years campaigning for answers over the death |
| Elizabeth, known as Lizzie, died from asphyxiation after suffering a blockage in her tracheostomy tube while under the care of a private nursing agency at home. | Elizabeth, known as Lizzie, died from asphyxiation after suffering a blockage in her tracheostomy tube while under the care of a private nursing agency at home. |
| Dr Bill Kirkup was appointed by the government to review events since her birth at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey in December 2000. | Dr Bill Kirkup was appointed by the government to review events since her birth at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey in December 2000. |
| The 20-year battle for answers | |
| Publishing the report, health minister Nadine Dorries said it described a "harrowing and shocking series of mistakes associated with the care received by Elizabeth and a response to her death that was completely inadequate and at times inhumane". | Publishing the report, health minister Nadine Dorries said it described a "harrowing and shocking series of mistakes associated with the care received by Elizabeth and a response to her death that was completely inadequate and at times inhumane". |
| She added: "The investigation sheds light on what the report describes as a '20-year cover-up'. It alleges that some individuals have been persistently dishonest in accounting for their actions or inaction." | She added: "The investigation sheds light on what the report describes as a '20-year cover-up'. It alleges that some individuals have been persistently dishonest in accounting for their actions or inaction." |
| Ms Dorries said the baby's parents, Anne and Graeme Dixon, from Church Crookham, were let down by failures to diagnose their daughter's underlying condition and to put in place adequate care. | Ms Dorries said the baby's parents, Anne and Graeme Dixon, from Church Crookham, were let down by failures to diagnose their daughter's underlying condition and to put in place adequate care. |
| She said: "This report shines a light on a culture of denial and cover-up 20 years ago." | She said: "This report shines a light on a culture of denial and cover-up 20 years ago." |
| The minister said the report concluded that "conscious choices to cover up or to be dishonest should not be tolerated". | The minister said the report concluded that "conscious choices to cover up or to be dishonest should not be tolerated". |
| Ms Dorries said she was sorry for the devastating impact of the baby's death on her parents and paid tribute to them for their long campaign for justice. | Ms Dorries said she was sorry for the devastating impact of the baby's death on her parents and paid tribute to them for their long campaign for justice. |
| Analysis | |
| By Michael Buchanan, BBC News social affairs correspondent | |
| The inquiry's findings, released earlier, mark the latest stage in a remarkable, determined two-decade campaign by Elizabeth's parents, Anne and Graeme Dixon, to uncover failings by the NHS, the police and other institutions. | |
| "The whole thing has taken over too much of our lives," says Graeme, 62, an electronics engineer. | |
| Anne, 57, says the sight of a police car, or an image on the television, can bring the bad memories flooding back. | |
| "We think about it every day," she adds. | |
| The results of the inquiry are a major step forward for the family, but their campaign to ensure there is nationwide learning from Elizabeth's care will continue despite the personal toll its taken. |