Parents of stillborn demand an apology

PARENTS whose baby was stillborn say they will not rest until Health and Social Services apologises for the death of their infant son. Steve and Louise Honey blame Princess Elizabeth Hospital staff for blunders they say led to the death of baby Dean.

The aggrieved couple insist their concerns were not addressed at the time and have demanded answers.

The department said there would be an internal investigation before referral to an external body, should that be deemed necessary.

Speaking after visiting baby Dean for the last time at a funeral parlour, father Mr Honey said: 'I appreciate what Health is doing, but it is not enough. We will not give up until they apologise for Dean's death,' he said.

'We haven't had any offers of help, but we will pay for an advocate ourselves if we have to. This is our son's life we are talking about.

'We have had a lot of calls of support from people, including one lady from the UK who said she had exactly the same thing happen to her two years ago in Guernsey.

'She said she got an official apology from Health and told us to carry on fighting and we will.'

The devastated couple claim PEH staff ignored their concerns before the birth and accused them of poor treatment during the birth itself.

Health minister Peter Roffey offered his sympathy to the couple but pointed out that an investigation was standard practice following a complaint.

'It is important that no one should conclude from the fact that an investigation is being carried out that there has been any failing on the part of the staff concerned,' he said.

'In respect of the clinical confidentiality owed to those involved in this episode, it would be quite wrong to comment any further.'

Head of midwifery Helen Kelso offered her condolences and said the maternity unit staff were always saddened when a baby died.

'The midwifery profession is often referred to as the best job in the world, which 99% of the time it is,' she said.

'Unfortunately, it is also the saddest job in the world when a baby dies, which does happen but thankfully not very often.'

Deputy Rhoderick Matthews said he was optimistic the internal investigation would get to the bottom of the situation.

'As I recall, the Health Department seemed to have a complaints procedure, which seemed to be fairly robust,' he said.

'I would certainly like to think that if there is anything that needs to be investigated, it will be reported fully, as appropriate, to the public.

'Very often, internal inquiries are more successful than external ones because people are able to speak more openly.

'I am fully supportive and have every sympathy for them, but I can't comment on the rights and wrongs of what happened.'

* Anyone in similar circumstances can contact Loveridge Ward and staff will arrange contact with a midwife who is skilled in bereavement counselling. Alternatively, the Guernsey Bereavement Service might be able to help on 251056.