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Unlawful killing verdict on baby Unlawful killing verdict on baby
(about 2 hours later)
A verdict of unlawful killing has been returned on a baby who was given a deadly dose of calcium during heart surgery at Bristol Children's Hospital.A verdict of unlawful killing has been returned on a baby who was given a deadly dose of calcium during heart surgery at Bristol Children's Hospital.
Five-month-old Abbie Hattam from Truro died after undergoing an operation to repair a hole in her heart in May 2005.Five-month-old Abbie Hattam from Truro died after undergoing an operation to repair a hole in her heart in May 2005.
"Nothing will bring Abbie back," said her parents in a statement after hearing the verdict. The hospital said it accepted the jury's decision and offered its "deepest sympathy" to Abbie's parents.
"All the unanswered questions will make it all the harder to explain to her twin sister how her sister died." Speaking after hearing the verdict Abbie's parents said: "Nothing will bring Abbie back."
A jury at Kings Weston House, Bristol, was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, but the Assistant Avon coroner Brian Whitehouse accepted a majority of eight to one.A jury at Kings Weston House, Bristol, was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, but the Assistant Avon coroner Brian Whitehouse accepted a majority of eight to one.
Massive overdoseMassive overdose
In a statement, the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust (UBHT) said it accepts the decision of the jury and offered its "deepest sympathy and regret" to Abbie's parents. In a statement, the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust (UBHT) said: "The Trust will now urgently consider the implications of the verdict, with the involvement of the team central to this case.
"The Trust will now urgently consider the implications of the verdict, with the involvement of the team central to this case.
"Whilst we acknowledge that it can be no consolation to Mr and Mrs Hattam for their loss, UBHT has thoroughly reviewed its protocols and practice around perfusion.""Whilst we acknowledge that it can be no consolation to Mr and Mrs Hattam for their loss, UBHT has thoroughly reviewed its protocols and practice around perfusion."
The Trust also seeks to reassure parents that "this was a tragic, isolated incident the like of which has never previously occurred within our perfusion service". The Trust also said that it wanted to reassure parents that "this was a tragic, isolated incident" the like of which had never previously occurred within its perfusion service.
Baby Abbie had suffered a string of heart and lung problems since being born three months prematurely.Baby Abbie had suffered a string of heart and lung problems since being born three months prematurely.
She was initially admitted to a special care unit at Treliske Hospital, Cornwall, before being transferred to Bristol, where she underwent a two-stage heart bypass operation.She was initially admitted to a special care unit at Treliske Hospital, Cornwall, before being transferred to Bristol, where she underwent a two-stage heart bypass operation.
Abbie had also caught an MRSA infection during her stay at the hospitals.Abbie had also caught an MRSA infection during her stay at the hospitals.
Doctors and pathologists agreed that Abbie was killed by an overdose of calcium - 10 times the normal dose, leading to a massive brain injury.Doctors and pathologists agreed that Abbie was killed by an overdose of calcium - 10 times the normal dose, leading to a massive brain injury.