Beverly Allitt: Trent health region report 'a whitewash'

BEVERLY ALLITT killed her patients on a ward left short of doctors and nurses, according to an inquiry by the health authority responsible for Grantham and Kesteven District Hospital, writes Jonathan Foster.

Trent Regional Health Authority completed its report on paediatric services in July 1992, 14 months after the last of Allitt's four murders. It was published yesterday following her conviction on Monday for 26 attacks on children. Parents of her victims condemned the inquiry as 'a whitewash'.

Ann Alexander, for the families, said evidence had been excluded from an inquiry, which failed to explain why Allitt had not been properly supervised, why it took management so long to realise a serial killer was on the ward, and why police were not called earlier. The report criticises the Ward 4 regime. An extra consultant paediatrician should be recruited 'urgently', it said. At least one, but probably two, experienced middle-grade doctors were needed.

Nurse staffing levels were below national and regional standards. The ward did not have 24- hour cover by at least one qualified sick children's nurse. Morale was poor, communications between medical staff needed improving and management of drugs required 'urgent review'. Allitt had been hired by Ward 4 after other hospital departments found her unsuitable.

Sources claim the inquiry's assessment of under-staffing failed to measure precisely how patients endured a potentially dangerous lack of nursing. The ward needed an extra night nurse, and two during the days. Cohse, the union representing a majority of nurses at Grantham, also claims the regional health authority under-estimated staffing needs.

Nurses should undergo screening for mental and physical illnesses to minimise the risk of attacks on patients, the Royal College of Nursing said yesterday. It called for national standards for health screening of nurses before they are offered jobs or training places.