THE parents of a baby who died after neglect by hospital staff have spoken of their grief and anger.

Caroline and Lee Foord of Badgers Croft, Eltham, say neglectful nursing staff were "responsible" for little Lee's death and are preparing to sue Queen Mary's Hospital, in Sidcup.

An inquest into the baby's death found it was an accident contributed to by neglect.

Baby Lee suffered a cardiac arrest when nurses failed to clean his breathing tube and left him unsupervised for half an hour.

The tot, who was meant to be receiving 24-hour care, died a week later of brain damage, just one day before his first birthday.

Baby Lee had a liver transplant shortly after birth and was kept in King's College Hospital, London, for 11 months before transferring to Queen Mary's. He was there for just two days before suffering a heart attack on April 14, 2001.

Despite being resuscitated for 40 minutes, he was brain dead.

Housewife Mrs Foord said: "They failed Lee and it has left a big hole in our lives. They are responsible for that."

Builder Mr Foord said: "It is hard to handle after all Lee

had been through he choked so needlessly. All he needed was basic nursing care and he didn't get it."

Lee was also mourned by three brothers and a sister.

Mr Foord said: "We have made no decision but are considering legal action against Queen Mary's after the inquest verdict."

In a further blow to the family, Lee's ashes were completely disintegrated at a crematorium and they never got to bury them.

A spokesman for Queen Mary's Hospital said: "We sincerely regret the distress the family have suffered following the death of their son.

"The trust carried out an internal investigation. A number of changes in procedures and work practices have been implemented in the night shift system, ensuring a consistent and effective handover of patient information."

April 29, 2003 10:00