Police budgeting for SaTH corporate manslaughter investigation

Shropshire’s elected police chief is budgeting for a potential corporate manslaughter investigation into Shropshire’s main hospital trust, newly-published documents show – but Home Office funding may be needed should such an investigation be launched.

Budget documents put forward by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion say government rules mean he may have to contribute £2.4 million, one per cent of his annual budget, towards the cost of any investigation before Whitehall will consider a grant bid.

Last month The Independent Review into Maternity Services at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust published an interim report based on 250 cases of death or injury to babies or mothers. It will examine nearly 2,000 by its expected conclusion.

SaTH chief executive Louise Barnett has pledged to enact the recommendations outlined by the review and said the trust will fully co-operate with any criminal investigation.

The West Mercia Police and Crime Panel is due to discuss Mr Campion’s proposed 2021-22 net revenue budget next week. It totals £245 million – a £10 million increase on this financial year – and includes a £363,000 contribution to the PCC’s reserves, expected to bringing them to £12.6 million.

An attached report says, prepared by Mr Campion’s office, says reserve funding has been set aside for “two unexpected events or major investigations to occur within five years”.

“Since the role of the PCC was established, there had been no call on reserves for this purpose,” it adds.

“In 2020, the global pandemic occurred. Central government has, however, provided considerable additional funding and the force and the PCC have been able to contain any remaining pressures within their budgets.

“The force may be required to undertake an investigation into allegations of corporate manslaughter at SaTH. The costs will be considerable and the PCC will make an application to the Home Office for Special Grant.

“The access criteria for special grants state that commissioners may be required to fund up to one per cent of their net budget requirement themselves before the government considers grant aid.

“The force could, therefore, be facing additional costs of £2.4 million a year.

“Whereas provision will need to be made in force budgets in future years with additional savings being found, and there are some contingencies for investigations already held in force budgets, the PCC may need to fund these costs up to one per cent of his net revenue budget from reserves in 2021-22, and some initial costs in 2020-21.”

In her report to the SaTH board’s December meeting, trust Chief Executive Louise Barnett said that “the independent police investigation at the trust continues, and the trust is co-operating fully”.

Her report for the board’s January meeting said the maternity review report was a “very harrowing and concerning read regarding significant failings in maternity care”.

Ms Barnett added she had apologised unreservedly to the families involved on behalf of SaTH and “has committed that the trust will learn from  their experiences and has accepted all the report’s findings and recommendations”.

The Police and Crime Panel, which consists of councillors from across the force area and some co-opted lay members, is due to meet on Thursday, February 4. The budget report before it says the PCC precept – a charge collected alongside council tax – is proposed to rise 6.6 per cent in 2021-22. In a band-D home this would mean an increase from this year’s total, £225.20, to £240.20.