Countess of Chester Hospital reports “higher than usual” infant mortality rate

The “greater number of baby deaths and collapses than normally expected” between June 2015 and July 2016 were reported by the hospital and “higher than usual” infant mortality rate to be investigated by the police.

The investigation will focus on eight deaths. A further seven losses will also be reviewed, along with six non-fatal collapses from the same period.

The hospital trust reported their findings to the police following a clinical review, which found no “definitive explanation” for the rise in fatalities.

A spokesperson from the hospital said “The trust and its doctors have continuing concerns about the unexplained deaths.

“As a hospital, we have taken the clinical review as far as we can.

“We have now asked for the input of Cheshire Police to seek assurances that enable us to rule out unnatural causes of death.”

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have undertaken a review into the matter, which found “no single cause” to clarify the death rate increase, highlighting “inadequate” staffing levels.

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence.  He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims.  Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled.  Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.  Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

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