More damning criticism of NHS over Baby P
By politics.co.uk staff
A catalogue of errors by NHS bodies allowed the death of Baby P to occur, according to the health regulator.
The baby came into contact with the NHS 25 times, through a combination of GP visits, consultant paediatricians, hospitals, walk-ins and health visitors.
But the Care Quality Commission (CQC) criticised three trusts in particular – Haringey, North Middlesex Hospital and the specialist children’s hospital Great Ormond Street.
Two doctors involved in the case have already been suspended.
The main problem cited by the commission was the systemic failure to share information between health services and NHS workers on the one hand and police and social services on the other.
But it also raised concerns about staff shortages and assessment delays.
There were also protocol failures, however.
Bone and skeleton scans did not take place, and a consultant who saw the baby’s injuries did not alert social workers.
Baby Peter’s GP, who is also under investigation, was criticised for not realising that the repeated visits could be a sign of abuse taking place.
CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower said: “There were clear reasons to have concern for this child, but the response was simply not fast enough or smart enough.
“The NHS must accept its share of the responsibility.”
Health secretary Alan Johnson said: “These failures are unacceptable. We must do all we can to learn the lessons of this appalling case.”
But many experts believe children’s care could get worse, not better, following the Baby P case, with many talented workers avoiding children’s social services following the scandal.
