Call for inquiry over former Royal Cornwall Hospital consultant who delivered PM's baby

Medical law experts have written to Cornish MPs urging them to call for a public inquiry scrutinising the actions and management of a former hospital consultant.

Obstetrician Kenneth Jones, known as Rob, was last year revealed to be at the centre of an inquiry at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) which saw 1,400 former patients contacted.

The Western Morning News revealed last month that 70 women had been recalled for further assessment as a result of the trust's action, which was prompted by concerns over failure to follow clinical guidelines.

The RCHT will shortly publish an independent review into how previous complaints about Mr Jones were dealt with and how hospital bosses responded. However, medical lawyer Julie Lewis, of the law firm Irwin Mitchell, said these findings should be shared immediately.

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"These women have been through more than enough and for them now to have to wait even longer to discover why they were potentially not given the treatment they deserve is appalling," she said.

"Each patient has a right to know how and why there were any potential failings in their care."

Ms Lewis said the firm, which is representing a number of Mr Jones's former patients, had written to local MPs to request they pressure for an independent public inquiry to learn lessons from what happened.

South African-born Mr Jones was an employee at the RCHT for a decade and had been at the centre of a number of previous reviews into his practice.

He delivered the baby of Prime Minister David Cameron's wife Samantha in 2010, although this case is not one of those under scrutiny.

The RCHT has rejected allegations that problems surrounding Mr Jones had gone unnoticed and unregulated, saying its action proved the contrary.

Chief executive Lezli Boswell said the board had considered an independent organisational learning review. "Patients have a right to know whether there have been failings in their care and that lessons have been learnt. That is why we commissioned the Acred report so that we can provide answers.

"Additionally, we commissioned an Independent Case Note Review of those patients seen by former Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology -Mr K R Jones. The patients affected have been contacted and offered follow-up treatment and care where needed.

"As Chief Executive, I am very clear that I will not tolerate poor clinical practice at RCHT and I am deeply sorry for any anxiety, pain or distress caused to our patients."

She added that an information line remained open for patients on 0800 180 4514.