Baby P whistleblower: Children are still at risk

Great Ormond Street hospital faces an investigation over its treatment of a Baby P whistleblower who today warned that children are still at risk because of staff shortages.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has been asked to intervene in the case of Kim Holt, a consultant who warned of "serious failings" at the Great Ormond Street clinic which sent Peter Connelly home suffering from a broken back two days before he died in 2007.

Dr Holt raised concerns in 2006 about St Ann's clinic. She has been blocked from returning to her post for three years and has been on "special leave" since warning that she and other doctors were dangerously overworked and a child would die unless action was taken.

Lynne Featherstone, Dr Holt's MP, has written to Mr Lansley asking him to "investigate urgently".
The Home Office minister says it is "madness" the case is unresolved and also says she is "deeply concerned" that consultants have raised concerns about management at Great Ormond Street.

Her case is supported by a group of consultants at Great Ormond Street who have signed a petition backing her.

Today a meeting of all Great Ormond Street consultants is being held to discuss a crisis of confidence in the hospital's management.

Dr Holt also called for the chief executive Dr Jane Collins to resign, adding: "The issue is whether the Government is going to protect whistleblowers or not.

"I thought I was doing something in the best interests of children. I still believe that if we don't recruit more staff (at St Ann's) then there could be more cases like Baby P. I've signed a letter of no confidence' against Dr Collins."

Great Ormond Street said it could not comment on a letter it had not seen. It said Dr Collins had received more than 100 letters of support and the hospital "absolutely refutes" any accusations of a bullying culture.

A report by NHS London last year called for Dr Holt to be returned to work as soon as possible.