‘End this baby death blame' - War of words over child found dead ‘unhelpful’ says leader of investigation Terry Bamford

Published: 26 March 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

THE man leading the review into the death of a baby boy in St John’s Wood has appealed for an end to the “blame war” that has broken out between health services and Westminster Council.

This week the council  pointed the finger of blame at the NHS after it emerged that the severely malnourished baby was seen by at least nine doctors and health visitors shortly before his death.

A social worker had seen the infant and his mother numerous times but the council is adamant it could not intervene because there was no evidence of neglect or abuse.

Terry Bamford said media speculation and tit-for-tat negative briefings were “unhelpful” and that the serious case review that he is chairing should be allowed to progress unhindered.

The boy was found dead on March 8 after his mother rang 999. She was arrested on suspicion of neglect and died at St Mary’s Hospital two days later. The mother was HIV positive. Her son also had a number of underlying health issues. 

Mr Bamford, a former executive director of health and social services at Kensington and Chelsea borough council, who also runs his own mental health charity, yesterday (Thursday) promised that no stone would be left unturned to establish whether warning signs were missed.

In an interview with this paper he said: “We will ask every agency that had contact with the boy from his birth to file reports of their dealings with him to us. Then we will establish whether there is any conflicting evidence or shunting of the blame, which is always a risk in a case like this. We can’t know the full picture until this is done. 

“The public interest  in a case like this is obviously huge, but tabloid-style media reporting is unhelpful, because it is usually looking for people to blame rather than what lessons can be learned, and increases anxiety about naming people when they should not be.”

He added that the board was anxious that the review be carried out as quickly as possible, with the aim of reporting its findings in the summer. 

The council has also confirmed that the infant’s sister had been on the child protection register at another local authority, although it could not say whether it was informed when the family moved to Westminster. 

A preliminary post-mortem examination revealed the boy’s stomach was empty and he had not eaten for days when he died.

Westminster’s children’s chief Councillor Nickie Aiken said: “I want to know why this child was being seen by nine NHS professionals and why things were not flagged up earlier.”

Sources told the West End Extra that bosses at both trusts are furious with the council for “jumping the gun” before the full facts are known.

The mother was being seen by health nurses and other NHS professionals from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.

Inquests into both deaths were opened at Westminster Coroner’s Court on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

The leaked report reveals the boy and his mother were seen by a succession of health professionals including health visitors, a physiotherapist and a paediatrician, who said in December the child had “poor weight gain”. In February, care workers decided decided the mother needed a mental health assessment, but she refused to see a psychiatrist. 

A spokesperson from Central and North West London NHS Foundation trust, confirmed the review had been written, but stressed that it was the product of one author, written days after the death.