A joint fatal accident inquiry is to be held into the deaths of two toddlers on the same day at a Glasgow hospital.

Cailyn Newlands was 23-months-old and Sonny Campbell was 22-months-old when they died on 6 December 2016 at the Royal Hospital for Children.

The youngsters were not treated by the same doctors and did not encounter each other at the hospital.

However, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said the circumstances gave rise to “significant public concern” to justify a joint fatal accident inquiry (FAI).

COPFS has now lodged a first notice to begin the court process for the inquiry.

The FAI will examine the circumstances of the deaths, including guidance, training, the medical assessments of the children, and whether they should have been assessed by a senior doctor or consultant.

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.

‘Walk like a penguin’: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde issues advice to avoid a fall on icy surfaces

Laura McHugh appears in court charged with murder of Joseph McGready in Glasgow

Jack Crawley manhunt: North Yorkshire Police search for attempted murder suspect who could travelling around UK

Read more from Sky News:
Mother says she was forced to strip naked in police cell
Order for dog DNA tests to trace and fine owners in poo crackdown

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: “The lord advocate considers that the tragic deaths of Cailyn Newlands and Sonny Campbell occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a joint discretionary fatal accident inquiry should be held.”  

A preliminary hearing will take place at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 8 March.

Related posts:

Readers share their colourful memories of Duke of Edinburgh Gun salutes in major UK cities and on navy ships mark death of Prince Philip Trains found with cracks can resume service – but delays set to linger Drug dealers found with £500k of cocaine after 100mph police chase From self-isolation to mass events – every rule that’s set to change on ‘Freedom Day’ British troops must prepare to fight in Europe once again, says new head of Army I flew back from US to stop lockdown, claims Sunak George Osborne and fiancee ‘really upset’ by ‘poison pen’ email on eve of wedding Royal Navy recruitment fall ‘could hamper ability to man nuclear deterrent’ Football fans warned they face bans if they mock Hillsborough disaster or Munich air crash 999 call made by dog walker played in court at Brianna Ghey murder trial Hundreds stranded on Eurostar service broken down for eight hours – with no toilets or power