Midwifery investigation uncovers catalogue of failures

An investigation into the deaths of three babies and one woman at Furness General Hospital has uncovered a catalogue of failures.

Nittaya and Chester Hendrickson, Joshua Titcombe and Alex Davey-Brady all died following mistakes made by midwives within the maternity ward at the hospital.

A report from the Health Service Ombudsman found midwives given the role of supervising their peers concluded there had been no errors despite obvious evidence of mistakes.

Watch: Father of baby who died at Furness welcomes report into failures

The father of a baby who died amid a series of failings at Furness General Hospital has urged the health secretary to adopt a series of measures published in a damning report into the scandal.

James Titcombe, whose son Joshua died when he was nine days old, welcomed the "important" report, which he said could prevent future deaths if recommendations on "serious incidents" were implemented:

"I would say to Jeremy, 'please make sure the recommendations are implemented' because this report could actually change the learning from serious incidents in maternity."

Families of the three babies and one mother who died at the hands of University Hospitals of Morecombe Bay said the damning report into midwifery shows "just how dangerous the wrong type of leadership can be in the NHS".

Liz Brady and Simon Davey, who lost their son Alex, Car Hendrickson, whose wife Nittaya and son Chester both died, and James Titcombe, who lost his son Joshua, called the failings "catastrophic".

"As well as highlighting the catastrophic and repeated failures of the SHA (Strategic Health Authority), today's report also makes some substantial recommendations for changing the system of midwifery supervision in the UK.

"We welcome these recommendations wholeheartedly and are grateful to Dame Julie Mellor for investigating the concerns properly and producing a report that we hope will make maternity services in the UK safer for other mothers and babies in the future."

Victims dubbed the ombudsman at the time "not fit for purpose" and "a cog" which was "set in motion by the last Government".

It is now feared a total of 15 babies and two mothers died needlessly at unit over the last decade with another 15 newborns suffering brain damage or other serious injuries.

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