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Systemic failings in NHS contributed to death of Baby P

BMJ 2009; 338 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b1967 (Published 13 May 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b1967
  1. Jacqui Wise
  1. 1London

    The NHS must accept its share of responsibility for the death of Baby P, the 17 month old boy who died at the hands of his mother, her partner, and their lodger, the new independent regulator of health and social care in England has said.

    A report by the Care Quality Commission found systemic failings in the health care provided by NHS trusts to Baby P, whose first name has been revealed as Peter.

    Excluding his birth, Peter had 34 contacts with health professionals at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust and Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust, in north London. Paediatric staff in these hospitals was provided by Great Ormond Hospital for Children NHS Trust.

    The commission said it was concerned that the boards of all the trusts with which the baby had contact had previously declared themselves as complying with all the core standards related to safeguarding children.

    The commission’s 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 …

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