Shropshire maternity investigation: Extended to 60 baby deaths

An inquiry into Shropshire's maternity service has been widened, according to the Health Service Journal.

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust are facing an independent review into 60 baby deaths, brain injuries and the deaths of four mothers.

A report in the Health Service Journal says than an investigation is being lead by senior midwife Donna Ockenden could be expanded to reflect new concerns.

An independent review into the deaths at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust was launched by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

It came after there were a 'cluster' of deaths between September 2014 and May 2016, where it was revealed that seven of which were avoidable. Later it also emerged that 12 cases over a 19-year period were being considered.

The latest deaths are feared to have happened in December 2017 where a mother and two babies died in unrelated incidents.

Today, the hospital has defended itself against the new claims, with Boss Simon Wright branding them 'misleading' and causing 'unnecessary anxiety' among women due to give birth.

Trust spokesman Richard Jones said: “We are aware of reports in the media claiming that more cases have been ‘uncovered'. This is factually incorrect and untrue.

"The reports cite the 23 cases which are currently being examined by the Secretary of State with the full cooperation of SaTH which are already in the public domain.

“More recently, our maternity service has voluntarily used independent experts to reassure those families involved.”

Dr Kathy McLean, executive medical director and chief operating officer at NHS Improvement, also added: "Our independent review will consider everything it can to ensure Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is equipped to learn from the previous failings in its maternity and neonatal services.

"This includes continuing to examine the 23 historical investigations identified in April 2017, as well as investigations that have been highlighted since then.

"Working with CQC and others, we will ensure the trust has the right support in place to continue to improve its services for patients."