Readers respond to the Hadiza Bawa-Garba case

Since November, we have received more than 120 responses to our coverage of the Hazida Bawa-Garba case (http://www.bmj.com/bawa-garba)—our most popular research papers usually attract about 15. Although most came from the UK, the case has affected doctors from around the world including those in Australia, Egypt, France, India, and New Zealand. They are predominantly from medical professionals, with journalist Nick Ross, and his three high profile contributions, being a notable exception.

The overwhelming majority rallied behind Bawa-Garba, while expressing compassion for Jack Adcock’s bereaved parents. Supporters with personal knowledge were Lyvia Dabydeen, consultant paediatric neurologist, who worked with her at Leicester Royal Infirmary; Martin P Samuels, consultant paediatrician at Royal Stoke University Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital, who acted as a defence expert in the criminal trial; and Jonathan Cusack, consultant at Leicester and Bawa-Garba’s clinical and educational supervisor, …