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Baby Alexis Matheson's murder: Review says death 'not predictable' | Baby Alexis Matheson's murder: Review says death 'not predictable' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A major review into the case of six-week-old baby murdered in Aberdeen has concluded her death was not predictable from the information available to medical staff at the time. | A major review into the case of six-week-old baby murdered in Aberdeen has concluded her death was not predictable from the information available to medical staff at the time. |
Mark Simpson was jailed for a minimum of 20 years for killing his then-girlfriend's daughter Alexis Matheson by assaulting her in 2007. | Mark Simpson was jailed for a minimum of 20 years for killing his then-girlfriend's daughter Alexis Matheson by assaulting her in 2007. |
The north east of Scotland child protection committee reviewed the case. | The north east of Scotland child protection committee reviewed the case. |
It recommended an overhaul of her GP's phone appointments system. | It recommended an overhaul of her GP's phone appointments system. |
BBC Scotland had revealed on Tuesday that href="http://www.nescpc.org.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.asp?lID=418&sID=108" >the report would be published on Friday. | |
The review was ordered in February last year and headed up by Howard Llewellyn, the chief officer of Tayside community justice authority. | The review was ordered in February last year and headed up by Howard Llewellyn, the chief officer of Tayside community justice authority. |
He was asked to establish the facts about individual and agency contacts with the child to learn any lessons and make recommendations. | He was asked to establish the facts about individual and agency contacts with the child to learn any lessons and make recommendations. |
In his report he stated: "I conclude that her death was not predictable from the information available to practitioners. Whether it would have been preventable is more problematic given the evidence presented at trial. | In his report he stated: "I conclude that her death was not predictable from the information available to practitioners. Whether it would have been preventable is more problematic given the evidence presented at trial. |
"I conclude that although her injuries may have been treatable in the few days before her death, her survival was possible rather than probable. | "I conclude that although her injuries may have been treatable in the few days before her death, her survival was possible rather than probable. |
"I do not therefore conclude that her death would have been prevented." | "I do not therefore conclude that her death would have been prevented." |
Mr Llewellyn made a total of eight recommendations. | Mr Llewellyn made a total of eight recommendations. |
They included a review of the telephone appointments system at the local practice and a review of its practice of prescribing drugs for babies over the phone. | They included a review of the telephone appointments system at the local practice and a review of its practice of prescribing drugs for babies over the phone. |
The report also advised that when a young child, especially a new born, is presented for consultation GPs should always consider conducting a physical examination. | |
Another recommendation suggested that if someone phones looking for advise about a child and an appointment is offered and rejected then the child should be "flagged" and referred for an urgent visit from a health visitor. | |
NHS Grampian said the GP practices across the region, and throughout Scotland, should learn from the committee's findings and consider the recommendations. | |
'Unthinkable pain' | 'Unthinkable pain' |
Simpson was found guilty in November 2010 of the murder of baby Alexis by shaking her to death, having denied murder by assaulting her between 18 November and 9 December 2007. | Simpson was found guilty in November 2010 of the murder of baby Alexis by shaking her to death, having denied murder by assaulting her between 18 November and 9 December 2007. |
He had lived in Aberdeen, with the baby's mother Ilona Sheach. | He had lived in Aberdeen, with the baby's mother Ilona Sheach. |
The Crown urged the jury to convict Simpson for what was described as his "wicked recklessness". | The Crown urged the jury to convict Simpson for what was described as his "wicked recklessness". |
The defence argued there was no sufficient corroborating evidence to say he even assaulted the baby. | The defence argued there was no sufficient corroborating evidence to say he even assaulted the baby. |
Judge Lord Uist had told Simpson: "The pain and agony which baby Alexis must have suffered as a result of the injuries which you inflicted upon her are unthinkable." | Judge Lord Uist had told Simpson: "The pain and agony which baby Alexis must have suffered as a result of the injuries which you inflicted upon her are unthinkable." |
He called for a fatal accident inquiry, which is still awaited. | He called for a fatal accident inquiry, which is still awaited. |