Guernsey baby death: Resigning deputy wants case review

Health Minister Mark Dorey said as soon as the news became public the board decided to resign

A serious case review should be held into the death of a newborn baby, according to a politician who has resigned from the health department.

Deputy Barry Brehaut, one of the five political members of the board who all resigned on Friday, said: "We have to understand what failed."

The resignations came as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) completed a review of midwifery supervision.

A wider review into all the Bailiwick's maternity services is due to follow.

'Media tipped off'

Guernsey Police confirmed no investigation had been launched into the death, but said they were seeking a meeting with the health department to "establish the details".

Mr Brehaut said: "A family came into our service with great expectations and a whole bright new future and sadly that's now not the case.

"The media sadly or predictably were tipped off so we find ourselves in a position today where we're trying to manage the story and in doing so we could almost forget about the family."

He said there were questions about how long it took the board to get the full details, which he says happened in the first quarter of this year but the report was not received until August.

Just appointed

Health Minister Mark Dorey said the revelation of issues had "came as a shock to the department" as annual reports had "made some recommendations", but gave "no signs of any problems".

Dr Carol Tozer, chief officer of Health and Social Services Department, has only been in the job for three weeks and said the death was the first thing she was made aware of.

She said she has spoken to the family and wanted to publically express her "sincere condolences".

Dr Carol Tozer expressed her "sincere condolences" for the family

Dr Tozer said the reports revealed four key issues: clinical practice, governance, leadership and culture.

She said: "It's a very complex case we're looking at, you have to look at the system, which will underpin how you move forward."

The NMC, which held an extraordinary review this week, expects to give interim finding to the health board next week.

Although they have announced their resignations the board stays in post until their replacements are elected, which is expected to be at the next States meeting, commencing on 29 October.