GOSH has never tried to hide information relating to the tragic death of Baby Peter or any case where something has gone wrong. We would never want to hide anything.
The Chief Executive apologised at the time of the trial verdict and accepted our failings in the case. We have never hidden our involvement.
At the time of Peter's death, GOSH did employ the doctors but the service was run by Haringey Primary Care Trust.
We provided information to the relevant investigating bodies as soon as it was made available to us.
We were concerned about the quality of the first Serious Case Review (SCR) process chaired by the Director of Children’s Services, and that’s why we commissioned additional work. It is not unusual for new issues and investigations to arise during the process.
Specifically we have established that we did share many of the key issues directly with the Director of Children’s Services in May 2008.
We supported the need for a new SCR. On balance, we support publication of serious case reviews, subject to clear guidance about what personal information should be kept confidential.
Dr Banerjee:
It was not best practice for Dr Bannerjee to write the health IMR because she line managed one of the staff involved. However:
- it was the PCT which appointed her to that role
- best practice or not she was probably the best person to do it in the circumstances (she was the most senior and most experienced)
- she wrote it jointly with the designated nurse, a PCT employee
- she was on the SCR panel because that was her role as Designated Doctor and not as a GOSH representative
- there is no evidence she downplayed anything
- none of the subsequent wholly independent enquiries have criticised her actions in this process
Contact information:
GOSH-ICH Press Office: 020 7239 3125
Email:
Coxs@gosh.nhs.ukFor genuine and urgent out of hours call speak to switchboard on 020 7405 9200
