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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 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Elizabeth was pronounced dead 10 days before her first birthday | |
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". | 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, who was appointed by the government to review the case, said her "profound disability and death could have been avoided". | |
The 20-year battle for answers | The 20-year battle for answers |
He said: "There were failures of care by every organisation that looked after her, none of which was admitted at the time, nor properly investigated then or later. | |
"Instead, a cover-up began on the day that she died, propped up by denial and deception." | |
Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, where Lizzie was born, initially failed to diagnose a tumour which probably led to brain damage, the report said. | |
Her condition may have worsened due to mistakes at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which also arranged inadequate home care, it added. | |
Dr Kirkup said there was "clear evidence that some individuals have been persistently dishonest... and that this extended to formal statements to police and regulatory bodies." | |
He said a "failed" police investigation and a refusal by some health workers to give evidence to the inquiry should be investigated by professional bodies. | |
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". |
The baby's parents, Anne and Graeme Dixon, from Church Crookham, said further evidence of wrong-doing was not used by the inquiry. | |
They said: "While we are pleased to see... that some of the blatant lies, deception and cover-ups of mistakes and incompetence have been called out, we are disappointed that certain aspects of Lizzie's care and the cover-up have not been addressed." | |