Commenting on behalf of Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust with regard to the GMC hearing in respect of  Dr VladanVisnjevac, Paul Bentley, Acting Chief Executive, said: 

“Nothing can be done to bring baby Hollie back, nor turn back time for the family, however we have endeavoured to act in their best interests since these tragic and distressing events happened nearly six years ago, in May 2002.  Following an independent investigation into the death of baby Hollie the Trust apologised to the family for the failings in care that occurred.

"Dr Visnjevac was a locum doctor provided to Ashford and St. Peter's by an agency.   He was suspended from working at Ashford and St. Peter's immediately after the incident.   The Trust continued to pay the agency thereby ensuring that DrVisnjevac would not have to work elsewhere until the end of July 2002 when the contract with the agency came to an end.  Colleagues at Ashford and St. Peter's had no grounds to doubt Dr Visnjevac's competency prior to the death of baby Hollie.

"In June 2002 the Trust commissioned an external expert investigation of the May 2002 incident.  The report of that investigation was received in November 2002.  At the beginning of December 2002, in line with the national guidance of that time the Trust, through the Department of Health, issued an 'alert' letter to NHS organisations advising them to contact Ashford and St. Peter's should the doctor involved in the May 2002 incident apply for a job at their organisation.

"The death of baby Hollie will always be with us and we offer our sincere condolences to the family."