HC Deb 02 February 1994 vol 236 cc718-9W
Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when she expects to receive the findings of the Clothier report;

(2) if she will list the names of each individual giving evidence to the Clothier inquiry; and if she will list the capacity in which each of them is taking part.

Dr. Mawhinney

We have now received Sir Cecil Clothier's independent inquiry report, which contains names and details of witnesses. The report will be published shortly and in full.

Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the terms of reference of the Clothier inquiry; what are the names and qualifications of those holding the Clothier inquiry; and which parts of the Clothier report she will be placing in the public domain.

Dr. Mawhinney

Sir Cecil Clothier QC, a former health service commissioner, has chaired the independent inquiry into incidents on ward 4 at Grantham and Kesteven general hospital between February and April 1991. He has been assisted by Anne McDonald, RSCN, RGN, DipN (London), who is director of quality at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospitals and Professor David Shaw, CBE, FRCP, FRCP (Edin), Emeritus Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The report of the inquiry team will be published in full.

The inquiry's terms of reference were:

  1. 1. To inquire into the circumstances leading to the deaths of four children and injuries to nine others on Ward 4 at Grantham and Kesteven General Hospital during the months February to April 1991 (inclusive).
  2. 2. To consider the speed and appropriateness of the clinical and managerial response within the hospital to the incidents, and to make recommendations.
  3. 3. To examine the appointment procedures, systems of assessment and supervision within the Hospital and Mid Trent College of Nursing and Midwifery respectively, including an examination of the occupational health services available to both the College and the Hospital, and to make recommendations.
  4. 4. To review the recommendations of the regional fact finding inquiry (July 1992) into paediatric services at the hospital and to advise whether any additions or amendments to those recommendations are necessary.
  5. 5. In the light of the events on Ward 4 at Grantham and Kesteven General Hospital between February and April 1991 (inclusive):
    • 5.1 to advise on the most efficient way for health authorities to be informed of serious untoward incidents and to monitor their handling;
    • 5.2 to consider whether and, if so, how the regional health authority should be informed of serious untoward incidents and the way in which they are handled.
  6. 6. To consider such matters relating to the said incidents as the public interest may require.