Date set for fatal accident inquiry eight years after death of baby girl at Glasgow hospital

A fatal accident inquiry is to begin eight years after the death of a baby girl at a Glasgow hospital.

Sophia Smith was only 11 days old when she died at the Royal Hospital for Children at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus on April 11, 2017.

The newborn became ill with an infection similar to MRSA, which developed into sepsis.

Her parents, Theresa and Matthew Smith, previously said to STV News they felt stuck in a “wasteland” in their efforts to get answers from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

The couple from Inverclyde, who want to know how their daughter contracted the infection, claim they were told by a clinician it was just “bad luck”.

Proceedings are due to begin on February 17 at Glasgow Sherrif Court.

The purpose of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death and the circumstances in which the death occurred.

It will also establish what reasonable precautions, if any, could have been taken to avoid deaths in similar circumstances.

FAIs are described by the Crown Office as inquisitorial in nature, used to establish facts rather than apportion blame.

The Sheriff considers all the evidence presented in court and thereafter delivers their determination.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: “Following a detailed investigation, the Procurator Fiscal decided that it was in the public interest to hold a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry to look at the full circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Sophia.

“The family will continue to be updated as the Inquiry progresses.”

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Sophia Smith.

“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will co-operate fully with the Fatal Accident Inquiry and will implement any findings.”