Leeds hospital neglect contributed to baby death, inquest finds

In a statement, Dr Elizabeth Garthwaite, chief medical officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are deeply sorry we failed Esta and her family, and offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Lynsey and Leon following the tragic death of their daughter.

“We are grateful to the coroner and jury for their careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding Esta’s death.

“We recognise the immense pain and loss experienced by Esta’s family and acknowledge that nothing can change what happened or lessen the grief they continue to live with every day.”

Garthwaite said the trust “fully respects” the jury’s findings and the coroner’s decision to issue a prevention of future deaths report.

“We recognise that serious failures occurred in the care provided to Esta and that these failures had devastating consequences,” she said.

“We take the concerns raised by the coroner extremely seriously and will carefully consider the report’s findings and recommendations. We are committed to responding openly and fully, and to taking any further action necessary to improve patient safety.”

Garthwaite added the trust had already taken steps to “strengthen” its services, including improving the recognition and management of deteriorating children, enhancing staff training in paediatric sepsis, strengthening escalation processes and implementing Martha’s Rule to “help ensure concerns raised by patients and families are heard and acted upon”.

She added: “We will continue to review our practices in light of the coroner’s findings and any additional lessons identified.

“We remain committed to learning from what happened to Esta, listening to patients and families and doing everything possible to provide safe, compassionate care for every child and family entrusted to our services.”