Baby deaths under investigation at another North West hospital
- 18.05.2017
- GillEdwards
- Clinical-negligence, Opinion, Clinical-negligence, Opinion, Clinical-negligence, Opinion, Clinical-negligence, Opinion
Patient safety is being compromised by poor staffing levels. We know that this is the case in many hospitals across the country and we are used to hearing about adult patients, but the problem is not confined to adult care.
News has just broken that the deaths of 15 babies in the Countess of Chester Hospital Neonatal Unit are being investigated by Cheshire police at the hospital Trust’s request and low staff numbers have cropped up as an issue again.
In November 2016, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health completed a confidential report on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital following a request in to investigate a high number of baby deaths. The number of deaths in the neonatal unit had jumped up significantly in 2015 and continued to be high in 2016. There were also six non-fatal collapses which the police are also investigating.
The pattern of deaths was as follows:
- 2012 - 3
- 2013 - 2
- 2014 - 3
- 2015 - 8
- 2016 - 5
The Report’s key findings into what may have contributed to the deaths were:
- Significant gaps in medical and nursing rotas;
- Poor decision making;
- Insufficient senior cover
In other words, not enough staff! Among the recommendations were the following:
- Increase the number of staff;
- Appoint two additional consultants;
- Improve leadership
But there has been no assurance from the Trust that more staff have been deployed since the report was written.
As I have said before, poor levels of staffing leads to stress, low morale, loss of teamwork and a breakdown in communication. Let’s hope the police investigation provides answers for the individual families who have suffered such devastating loss, but it is hard to see how things are going to improve until the fundamental need for more medical and nursing staff is addressed.
Gill Edwards is a senior clinical negligence solicitor with PotterReesDolan. Should you have any queries about clinical negligence issues and wish to speak with Gill or any other member of the team please contact us on 0161 237 5888.