An Invitation from Bill Kirkup
Bill Kirkup invites families to share their experiences of the maternity and neonatal services at East Kent Hospitals.
The Independent Investigation into East Kent Maternity Services has been set up to examine the standard of care provided by the maternity and neonatal service at the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) since 2009.
As the Chair of the Investigation I would like to invite any families who wish to share their experience of the maternity and neonatal services at East Kent Hospitals during this time period to contact the Investigation to talk about this.
The Investigation is looking at individual cases where there has been a preventable or avoidable death; a concern that the death may have been preventable or avoidable; a damaging outcome for the baby or mother; or where there is reason to believe the circumstances shed light on how maternity services were provided or managed or how the Trust responded when things went wrong.
The Investigation will also look at how the Trust responded to signals that there were problems and sought to learn lessons; how the Trust engaged with regulators including the CQC, and actions and responses of regulators and commissioners.
I know the death of a child or mother, or their injury during childbirth, is a very distressing event in a family’s life. I also know that sharing such experiences can be difficult and traumatic. We will listen compassionately and sensitively and will take steps to ensure all families that come forward feel appropriately supported.
I will therefore make arrangements for any families to share with the Investigation their experience in private and to remain anonymous, if you would prefer to do so.
If you would like to contact the Investigation, my team are available by emailing contact@iiekms.org.uk or by calling 01233 227709. We will make arrangements to call you back at a time convenient to you.
I would like to thank you in advance for your assistance.
Bill Kirkup CBE, Chair of the Investigation