‘Authorities blocked us every step of way’
THE parents of baby Jack Tually told yesterday how they had encountered resistance every step of the way when campaigning for truth and justice following the death of their son.
‘This was from the same institutions and individuals that were charged with protecting his life or with the duty to investigate his death impartially.
‘But for the actions of one brave whistle-blower at the PEH, none of the facts surrounding our son’s death would have surfaced and would have remained covered up forever,’ they said in a prepared statement.
It came after the conclusion of the inquest into the death of baby Jack, who died at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital on 30 January 2014.
‘No family should ever have to wait so long for answers, a wait which has only served to compound our grief,’ said the parents.
‘There is clearly a need to reform the coronial process to ensure that it operates more transparently and efficiently.’
Judge Philip Robey ruled that, on the balance of probabilities, hypoxia caused by persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn had been the primary cause factor in Baby Jack’s death.
On the balance of probabilities, ineffective intubation during a three-and-a-half hour period had also contributed to his death, he said.
Speaking after the hearing, counsel for the parents, Advocate Tim Bamford, could not say whether civil proceedings would follow.
The incident led to a Nursing and Midwifery Council investigation of maternity services at the PEH which resulted in three midwives being struck off the register and a fourth suspended for 12 months.
At the conclusion of the inquest, Health & Social Care president Heidi Soulsby, reading from a prepared statement on the steps of the court, said: ‘I understand that it may be of little comfort to Baby Jack’s parents, but, as is widely known, this tragic case sparked a process of review, investment and work with the Nursing and Midwifery Council that brought many changes to the way we deliver these vital services.
‘Our maternity services today are not the same as they were in 2014 as a result.
‘It has been five long years since Baby Jack died, and the intervening time has weighed heavily on all concerned, but above all, of course, on his parents.’
