The Health Secretary, Yvette Cooper, set out immediate actions to strengthen patient safety, safeguarding and accountability across the NHS, following the publication of Lady Justice Thirlwall’s final report into the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The Thirlwall Inquiry found serious failures of governance, leadership and safeguarding, with opportunities missed to act on concerns and protect babies from harm.
Responding to the findings in Parliament, Cooper said safeguarding must be at the heart of the NHS and the government would act on the inquiry’s recommendations to help prevent such failures happening again.
Cooper said: “The suffering endured by these babies and their families is impossible to comprehend.
“On behalf of the government and the health service, I am profoundly sorry for the failures set out so clearly in this report.
“For the harm, distress and unthinkable loss for their families. For the failures by the NHS to keep babies safe.”
The government said that it has begun working on a series of measures including CCTV, new guidance on the safe use and storage of insulin and strengthened guidance for medical examiners reviewing neonatal deaths.
The Secretary of State also announced that safeguarding will be placed at the centre of the forthcoming Babies, Children and Young People’s Modern Service Framework.
The government said that it will publish its full response to Lady Justice Thirlwall’s recommendations once it has completed detailed consideration of the report.
