Simon Whitehouse, Chief Executive at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said:
“I would like to apologise for the distress caused by the language that was used in the latest Integrated Care Board meeting papers regarding childhood mortality rates. We fully appreciate that every single infant death is a tragedy, therefore the language used within the report was inappropriate and insensitive”.
“In Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, the loss of any child is taken very seriously. Reducing infant mortality and improving early years interventions are key areas of focus for our health and care system. We review childhood mortality data openly and transparently to enable us to be responsive and identify specific areas that need improvement. Given our historical position, there is additional scrutiny across our system.
“The report outlines that childhood mortality over a 4-year period remains lower than the national average; however, we saw an increase in the mortality rate in 22/23. We continue scrutinising the data to help us understand where we should focus our attention in a timely manner. Recognising this extends beyond just an NHS response, we are working closely with partners across the county to improve the quality of our services and to ensure every child gets the best start in life”.
