On 30 July 2020 the CQC wrote to the Trust indicating that it was considering prosecuting the Trust for a breach of Regulation 12 of the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, in relation to the tragic death of baby Harry Richford in early November 2017.
The CQC has confirmed today that it will charge the Trust under Regulation 12 of the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 for failing to provide safe care and treatment in early November 2017.
East Kent Hospitals Chief Executive, Susan Acott, said: “We are deeply sorry and apologise unreservedly for our failure to provide safe care and treatment resulting in the death of baby Harry in November 2017.
“Mr and Mrs Richford’s expectation was that they would welcome a healthy baby into their family. We are deeply sorry that we failed in our role to help them do that and for the devastating loss of baby Harry.
“We recognise the mistakes in both Harry’s delivery and subsequent resuscitation and that Harry’s family was not given the support and answers they needed at the time. We deeply regret the extra pain that this caused them.
“The Trust has admitted to the CQC that it failed to provide safe care and treatment for which we are profoundly sorry.”
