East Kent baby deaths: NHS Trust did not meet safety recommendations

Video report by ITV News Meridian reporter Sarah Saunders

An ongoing independent investigation into the deaths of up to 15 babies in East Kent has revealed that there was a failure to implement 21 safety recommendations for maternity services.

The recommendations were made in a report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2016. It highlighted a lack of reviews for high risk women and a reluctance among some consultants to attend out of hours calls at the QEQM in margate.

An internal review has now found that East Kent Hospitals fully complied with only two of the 23 recommendations listed in the report. 

The review was launched following an inquest earlier this year into the death of baby Harry Richford. He died just seven days after being born at the QEQM Hospital in 2017.

His grandfather, Derek Richford, believes The Royal College report could have saved his baby grandson's life if it had been acted upon.

At a board meeting this morning, the Trust announced an 'improvement programme' to ensure all future recommendations are actioned.