East Kent NHS Trust: Lessons not learned at maternity trust, mum says

Victoria gave evidence to Dr Bill Kirkup's investigation after her daughter suffered life-changing complications at birth

Lessons still have not been learned at a Kent hospital trust which was criticised in a damning report, a mother has said.

Dr Bill Kirkup's review found at least 45 babies might have survived with better care at East Kent NHS hospitals.

Victoria, whose six-year-old daughter needs 24-hour support, said: "I've had no contact from anyone from the trust."

Her case was one of 202 that were examined by Dr Kirkup in his report, which was published exactly a year ago.

Victoria, whose daughter is living with the consequences of failings in her care during her birth, said: "Our children have become unwell because of what has happened to them.

"I don't feel lessons have been learned whatsoever.

"Treatment hadn't been made available as easily as it should have done for children that are still living this experience every day."

Dr Kirkup's investigation uncovered a "clear pattern" of "sub-optimal" care that led to significant harm, and said families were ignored.

The medical experts reviewed an 11-year period from 2009 at two hospitals, the Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother in Margate and the William Harvey in Ashford.

The independent review was chaired by Dr Bill Kirkup CBE

Following the release of the report, Dr Kirkup said the most troubling aspects of his review were the attitude and behaviours of some trust staff towards families with legitimate complaints.

He said the scale of the failings at the trust was "deplorable and harrowing" and that there was anger among families he had met.

Following the publication, the East Kent NHS trust said it wanted to put families at the heart of what it did and it wanted to understand what families were living through.

Victoria told BBC Radio Kent: "I've had no contact from anyone from the trust.

"There hasn't been any coming to us by the trust or looking at individual cases saying 'can we help you?'"

Michelle Cudjoe, director of midwifery at the East Kent hospitals trust, said: "I am very sorry to hear of Victoria's concerns.

"It is important that families are properly supported and I would like to offer Victoria, and any family that needs further support, the opportunity to discuss their concerns with me directly."

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