NHS Trust prosecuted by healthcare regulator
The Chambers UK Bar team provide a look at a case in which an NHS Trust admitted failing to provide safe care and treatment for a newborn baby.
Groundbreaking case following the tragic death of Harry Richford
Following the death of Harry Richford in 2017 at just seven days old, a coroner's inquest was held into how the actions of the doctors and midwives at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate led to his death. The inquest found that Harry's death was wholly avoidable and contributed to by neglect on the part of the hospital staff.
In 2020, as a result of the findings of the inquest, the Care Quality Commission announced that it would be prosecuting East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust on two counts of unsafe care and treatment, one relating to Harry and one relating to his mother Sarah. This prosecution is the first of its kind.
The NHS Trust pleads guilty
In April 2021 the NHS Trust pleaded guilty to both counts and admitted failing to provide safe care and treatment for both Harry and his mother under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
During the first inquest, Harry's family were represented by Jennifer MacLeod and Emma Mockford, both of Brick Court Chambers. The barristers acted for the family pro bono.
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