Johnson orders England-wide investigation after Baby P review

Health secretary Alan Johnson has asked the Healthcare Commission to undertake a swift analysis of whether health organisation boards are applying England's child protection standards as vigorously as they should be.

Alan Johnson (Photograph:Guzelian)

The instruction comes in the wake of the body’s findings about the death of 17-month-old Baby P and the ‘systemic failings’ in Haringey.

Anna Walker, the Commission’s chief executive, said: ‘From a healthcare perspective, we were particularly concerned about the inadequacy of systems necessary to enable agencies to work together effectively on behalf of children.

‘It is critical to have good communication, between healthcare professionals and between organisations working in partnership on safeguarding, as well as strong awareness of child protection procedures. These lessons need to be learnt across the NHS.’

Mr Johnson ordered the review because the trusts involved (North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, the Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, Haringey Teaching PCT and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust) were able to declare in the annual review of their performance that they fully complied with England standards relating to safeguarding children.

neil.durham@haymarket.com

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