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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Baby Alexis Matheson's murder: Review says death 'not predictable' | Baby Alexis Matheson's murder: Review says death 'not predictable' |
| (35 minutes 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 the report would be published on Friday. | BBC Scotland had revealed on Tuesday that 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. | 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 advice 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. | NHS Grampian said the GP practices across the region, and throughout Scotland, should learn from the committee's findings and consider the recommendations. |
| Elinor Smith, associate director of nursing at NHS Grampian and a member of the child protection committee, said: "Alexis' death is a tragedy for her family. The staff that were involved in her care have been deeply affected by this. | |
| "There were no obvious signs and symptoms at the time when our staff saw Alexis Matheson. | |
| "We have all got a role to play in child protection, not only the health professionals but family, friends, neighbours and the wider public as well." | |
| '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. |