CCTV for cots and incubators among Thirlwall’s recommendationspublished at 12:37 BST
12:37 BST
Nat Wright
Health reporter
We’re continuing to bring you lines from the recently published report – as a reminder, you can watch her news conference live at the top of the page.
Lady Justice Thirlwall has made 17 recommendations which include CCTV for all cots and incubators in all neonatal units, restricted access to insulin, obligatory safeguarding training for staff, a harmonised IT system across the NHS and better handling of data.
She says there should be the creation of Suspicion of Deliberate Harm Protocol and guidance; a panel of experts should be set up to be called upon where concerns emerge about an individual and harm to patients.
By 31 March 2027, all hospital trusts must have in place effective mechanisms for board level monitoring of all deaths of children and babies.
Further checks are needed when managers are being moved to different trusts with a code of conduct for managers (which was published in July 2026) to be amended with suggested wording “I will make the care and safety of patients my first concern and act to protect them from risk.”
There should be without-notice Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections and inspectors should not take things at face value; the CQC should be reviewed once a year at first and then every three years after.
The function of the National Guardian’s Office should be taken over by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in England which should be given greater powers to investigate whistleblowers’ concerns.