Inquiry into baby's death to focus on inherited condition

An inquiry into the death of a two-month-old baby in Aberdeen will focus on how information about an inherited condition is recorded and shared.

Michael Wilson was born on 11 August 2021 at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and died at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital on 15 October the same year.

A preliminary fatal accident inquiry (FAI) hearing was told the sharing of information between health boards would be another issue that could be examined.

A further hearing will be held later this year.

The process for the inquiry to be held began last year.

The Lord Advocate considered the baby's death occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern.

The discretionary FAI was ordered as a result.

At the latest remote hearing on Wednesday at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Christine McCrossan said the sharing of patient information in the digital age seemed to be a big issue in the wider world.

Lixia Sun, for the Crown, said the specific focus with the case in question would be more how information about an inherited genetic condition is recorded.

Scott Clair, for Grampian Health Board, said there was optimism a lot of evidence was capable of agreement, allowing a focus more on the issue of information sharing.

The next preliminary hearing will be held on 20 May.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) previously said the inquiry is to establish facts surrounding the baby's death rather than apportion any blame.