Ministers blasted by scandal inquiry chair

The government’s response to the East Kent maternity scandal inquiry has been condemned as ‘very disappointing’ by its chair. 

More than four months on from the inquiry report, ministers this morning issued what they called an “initial response” to it, as a brief written statement to Parliament. It contained few specific proposals, instead saying government was kicking off a series of other reviews, and “working” with various other agencies.

Inquiry chair Bill Kirkup, the well-regarded former medic and expert in care failures, told HSJ the response was poor and should have been “wider and deeper”.

Dr Kirkup said the response showed government had “not grasped how fundamental” some of the issues outlined in his report were, and “what sort of initiative” was needed to address them.

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Source: HSJ, 7 March 2023