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Baby P concerns 'taken seriously' Baby P clinic 'was understaffed'
(20 minutes later)
A senior doctor who claimed Baby Peter could have been saved if a hospital had listened to her concerns was "taken seriously", an NHS report has said. Doctors at a clinic that failed to spot a broken back in Baby Peter two days before he died were under an "excessive workload", a report has said.
Peter Connolly, killed in 2007 in Haringey, north London, was seen at St Ann's Hospital two days before he died. Peter Connelly, killed in 2007 in Haringey, north London, was seen at St Ann's Hospital two days before he died.
The clinic did not spot a broken back, one of 50 injuries he had suffered. Dr Kim Holt, who warned about the way the clinic was run in 2006, said the 17-month-old baby could have been saved if managers had listened to her.
Dr Kim Holt had warned in 2006 the clinic was "chaotic". But the report found "genuine attempts" were made to address her concerns. But the report found "genuine attempts" were made to address her concerns.
Dr Holt, a consultant paediatrician, was one of four colleagues who wrote a letter detailing problems at the hospital's clinic a year before the failed diagnosis. Dr Kim Holt, a senior consultant paediatrician, had warned the clinic's appointment system was "chaotic".
She was one of four who wrote a letter detailing problems at the hospital's clinic a year before the failed diagnosis.
They warned the clinic - run by Haringey Council and manned by Great Ormond Street doctors - was understaffed.They warned the clinic - run by Haringey Council and manned by Great Ormond Street doctors - was understaffed.
Dr Holt also cautioned that the "chaotic" appointment system was a risk to patients. There had once been four doctors at the clinic, but two posts were cut before Baby Peter's death. Since the case, the number has risen to nine.
We accept that more could have been done to support both clinical and managerial staff in delivering the services required NHS LondonWe accept that more could have been done to support both clinical and managerial staff in delivering the services required NHS London
After Baby Peter's death, Dr Holt claimed the child's death could have been prevented if her concerns about the clinic had been acted upon. The independent report found "delays in seeing children must have the potential to affect patient safety".
The report found communication between doctors and senior administrators needs to be managed "more effectively in the interests of patient care". It described Dr Holt as "highly intelligent" and committed, and added that communication between doctors and senior administrators needs to be managed "more effectively in the interests of patient care".
But it also said "genuine attempts" had been made to improve the situation after Dr Holt's letter.But it also said "genuine attempts" had been made to improve the situation after Dr Holt's letter.
The report's authors described the workload of consultants at the clinic between 2006 and May 2008 as "excessive" and said the consequences of cutting a consultant post "were not adequately considered" by management.
They also noted complaints of a "very hostile environment" at the clinic with poor communication between staff and managers.
But they concluded: "We do not consider, however, that this descended into a bullying regime."
Professor Trish Morris-Thompson, chief nurse at NHS London, said: "We accept in full the findings of this independent report, and we are working with NHS Haringey to make sure recommendations are put in place.Professor Trish Morris-Thompson, chief nurse at NHS London, said: "We accept in full the findings of this independent report, and we are working with NHS Haringey to make sure recommendations are put in place.
"This report shows that Dr Holt's concerns were taken seriously."This report shows that Dr Holt's concerns were taken seriously.
Bullying claim rejected Council criticised
"We accept that more could have been done to support both clinical and managerial staff in delivering the services required.""We accept that more could have been done to support both clinical and managerial staff in delivering the services required."
The report also found no evidence to support Dr Holt's claim that she was bullied after raising the concerns. Dr Holt will now to return to work after a period of absence.
She will now to return to work after a period of absence.
Baby Peter died from abuse despite 60 visits from the authorities.Baby Peter died from abuse despite 60 visits from the authorities.
His mother Tracey Connolly, 28, her partner Steven Barker, 33, and Barker's brother Jason Owen, 37, were all jailed for their part in Peter's death. His mother Tracey Connelly, 28, her partner Steven Barker, 33, and Barker's brother Jason Owen, 37, were all jailed for their part in Peter's death.
Haringey Council's social services department was heavily criticised following the killing.Haringey Council's social services department was heavily criticised following the killing.