West Mercia Police have entered a brand new section of their in depth investigation into catastrophic failings inside the maternity providers of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Belief (SaTH), with officers now interviewing present and former members of employees.
The police inquiry, dubbed “Operation Lincoln,” commenced in June 2020 following the damning findings of senior midwife Donna Ockenden’s unbiased evaluation. Ms Ockenden’s report unveiled systemic failures at SaTH spanning 20 years, probably contributing to the deaths of over 200 infants and 9 moms, and leaving different infants with life-changing accidents.
Initially tasked with analyzing 23 circumstances, the Ockenden inquiry expanded considerably to embody almost 1,600 circumstances the place considerations about maternity care had been raised. Tons of of those circumstances have since been scrutinised by officers concerned in Operation Lincoln.
Supt Carl Moore, the senior officer main the police investigation, confirmed that the graduation of employees interviews marks a pivotal second of their efforts to find out whether or not there’s enough proof to assist a felony case towards the belief or any people concerned.
Superintendent Moore mentioned: “Now we have up to date households this week {that a} new section of our investigation has begun. This consists of finishing up witness interviews with present and former members of employees on the Belief.
“Our investigation stays energetic with a targeted and devoted crew. On the coronary heart of this, there are a selection of bereaved households searching for solutions as to what occurred to their family members, and we’re dedicated to making sure that the households concerned are absolutely knowledgeable at every stage of our enquiries.”
Belief’s full cooperation with police investigation
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Belief, which operates the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital, has affirmed its full cooperation with the police investigation.
Jo Williams, Chief Govt for The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Belief, mentioned: “We’re actually sorry for the hurt precipitated to these households who rightfully anticipated a protected expertise beneath our care, and who had been let down by us.
“We all know how essential it’s for the households and our communities to obtain the solutions they’ve waited for. We’re absolutely cooperating with the police to assist the integrity of their investigation.
“We’re dedicated to offering a responsive maternity service for our communities and our employees that’s open, form, consistently studying and persistently bettering.”
The belief acknowledged the significance of offering households with the solutions they’ve lengthy awaited. It additionally confirmed that its maternity providers will stay absolutely operational all through the police investigation.
Regardless of the continued inquiry into historic failings, SaTH highlighted latest enhancements inside its maternity providers. The belief famous that the latest inspection by the Care High quality Fee (CQC) in 2023 rated its maternity providers as “good” general. These enhancements reportedly embody enhanced midwifery staffing ranges, elevated coaching, extra sturdy danger assessments, and a larger emphasis on listening to the considerations of girls and households.
The belief reiterated its dedication to steady enchancment, stating, “We are going to proceed to work with our colleagues, with households and with our native communities to offer the very best requirements of care.”
