Anna Mills Morgan

Who? Anna Mills Morgan, director at Mackenzie Jones Solicitors, St Asaph, Wales.

Why is she in the news? Represents Sarah Robinson and Ryan Lock, whose seven-day-old baby, Ida, died at Preston Hospital in November 2019.

Thoughts on the case: ‘I represent Sarah Robinson and Ryan Lock after being contacted by a mutual friend and barrister. Their seven-day-old baby (Ida) died at Preston Hospital in November 2019 after suspected failings of the Royal Lancaster Infirmary through labour and after the birth. The parents were initially told that after an internal inquiry there were no care delivery issues. However, after I reported the case to the coroner (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust failed to do so), and serving supportive evidence, after four years we have now received confirmation that [the trust] agrees with the findings of the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch, which were published back in April 2020. The coroner is so concerned about systemic failings and the failure to improve following the Kirkup Report [into perinatal deaths] of 2015 that he has ordered that article 2 is fully engaged. There is to be a two-week full and detailed inquest next year.’

Tabetha Darmon, chief nursing officer at the trust, said: ‘We offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Ida’s family for the tragic loss of their daughter and sister. We fully appreciate that the inquest will be very emotive and difficult to sit through. The trust will fully support and assist the coroner’s investigation to ensure the family receive the answers they deserve.

‘The trust acknowledges that there were care delivery issues in Ida’s care. The fact that she was in difficulty should have been recognised sooner and her birth should have been expedited.

‘The trust has worked hard to address the learning points highlighted by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) report and has also made wider system and process changes for the benefit and safety of our patients since 2019.’

Dealing with the media: ‘The trust had always officially denied care-delivery issues. When the family finally received confirmation that the trust accepted that there were failings, they asked me to contact the media. They did not want any other families to suffer in the same way and they wanted to raise awareness. I contacted the press, both national papers and TV, and helped prepare the parents for the interviews. It was extremely emotional for them to tell their story, so I fronted the initial discussions and accompanied them at the interviews.’

Career high: ‘Fighting for those who feel they can’t win and finally receiving the acceptance by the trust in this case.’

Career low: ‘The knowledge that Sarah and Ryan comprise just one of many families that are going through the same thing, and that lessons are not being learned. Things do not appear to be changing.’

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