Dr Bill Kirkup’s long-awaited report into the tragic life and death of Elizabeth Dixon was finally published on 26 November 2020. It lifts the lid on a catalogue of grave errors and serious failings in Elizabeth’s care and alarmingly, a number of cover-ups throughout the nearly 20 years her parents battled for the truth about what happened to their beloved daughter.
Associate Legal Director of Novum Law and patient safety expert Mary Smith, who has supported the Dixon family for six years, outlines the main findings and recommendations in the Dixon Inquiry report:
The life and death of Elizabeth Dixon: a catalyst for change
The parents of baby Elizabeth (‘Lizzie’) Dixon have released an emotional video documenting poignant moments they spent in hospital with their beautiful daughter during her short life. Speaking about the cherished camcorder footage they said:
“We will always carry in our hearts the precious but anguished, beautiful but painful, time with our darling little girl.”
© Dixon Family
The Life and Death of Elizabeth Dixon: A Catalyst for Change (pdf)
Minister of State, Nadine Dories, from the Department of Health and Social Care issued a statement on the Kirkup report apologising for the errors and suffering caused involving baby Elizabeth Dixon.
Click here to read the statement.
Anne and Graeme Dixon, the parents of baby Elizabeth (‘Lizzie’) Dixon who tragically died in December 2001 aged just 11 months after significant hospital and community care failings said:
Click here to read their reaction.
Mary Smith, Associate Legal Director of Novum Law and a patient safety expert, who has supported the family for the past six years, said:
Click here to read her reaction.
Anne Dixon has been talking about the crucial support Mary Smith, Associate Legal Director and patient safety expert at Novum Law, has given the family over the past six years:
“Mary Smith’s expert help, guidance and support has been invaluable to us. We felt utterly exhausted at the point we were introduced to Mary in 2014 and we will always be grateful to the person who brought us together. We were completely heartbroken and traumatised by the suffering our beloved daughter, Elizabeth, had endured. The years we had spent battling to find the truth for ourselves, which was denied us when Elizabeth died, had taken their toll.
Nursing Times: Elizabeth Dixon: Findings from baby death inquiry prompt NMC apology
The BMJ: Investigation into baby’s death reveals “20 year cover-up” of failures
Health Service Journal: Kirkup: ‘Significant reluctance’ in health system to review ‘historic’ cases
AvMA: AvMA statement re the Dixon Inquiry report by Dr Bill Kirkup CBE
Patient Safety Learning: The life and death of Elizabeth Dixon: a catalyst for change (26 November 2020)
BBC: Elizabeth Dixon death inquiry ‘exposes 20-year cover-up’ of mistakes
BBC: Elizabeth Dixon death: The 20-year battle for answers
BBC: Elizabeth Dixon: Baby death guidelines ‘never drawn up by NHS’
BBC: Home videos show Elizabeth Dixon before her death
BBC: Elizabeth Dixon’s parents react after inquiry
Independent: Baby death ‘covered up’ for 20 years, damning inquiry finds
Independent: Elizabeth Dixon inquiry: ‘We have been failed by every agency possible,’ say parents
Independent: Head of NHS inquiry warns other families could be victims of cover-ups
Independent: The Dixon inquiry shames national NHS bodies for their inaction
Telegraph: Baby death ‘cover up’ for nearly 20 years needs police investigation, inquiry says
The Guardian: Elizabeth Dixon death investigation reveals ’20-year cover-up’
The Times: Parents of baby who died were lied to in cover-up by carers, inquiry finds
ITV News: Inquiry into disabled baby’s treatment calls for police probe after ‘cover-up’
Evening Express: Inquiry into disabled baby’s treatment calls for police probe after ‘cover-up’
Express and Star: Inquiry into disabled baby’s treatment calls for police probe after ‘cover-up’
Belfast Telegraph: Inquiry into disabled baby’s treatment calls for police probe after ‘cover-up’
Eminetra: Baby death has been “hidden” for 20 years and terrible investigations have been found
Country Times: Inquiry into disabled baby’s treatment calls for police probe after ‘cover-up’
NewsFinale: Police must investigate ‘cover-up’ over death of disabled baby girl
Surrey Live: Elizabeth Dixon: official criticises ‘cover-up’ over baby’s death and demands police investigation
The Northern Farmer: Inquiry into disabled baby’s treatment calls for police probe after ‘cover-up’
Portsmouth News: Hampshire baby death inquiry reveals ‘20-year cover-up’ of mistakes by health workers.
Kent Online: East Kent Hospitals baby deaths: Kirkup review starts with help from Hillsborough investigators
Yahoo News: Inquiry into disabled baby’s treatment calls for police probe after ‘cover-up’
Insight News: Elizabeth Dixon death inquiry exposes 20-year cover-up of mistakes
News Report: Baby death ‘covered up’ for 20 years, damning inquiry finds
Seaside FM: Elizabeth Dixon: Inquiry calls for police investigation after ‘cover-up’ over baby’s ‘avoidable’ death
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