THE results of a hospital investigation into events surrounding the death of a newborn baby at Burnley General will be announced this month - and decide the fate of two nurses suspended for the past two years.

Charlie Louise Taylor died within 13 hours of birth after a connector was not fitted to her air supply - resulting in 100 times more oxygen than normal entering her body, bursting her lungs and causing a brain haemorrhage.

But the problem with the equipment was not reported for two days after Charlie's death on January 19, 1997, and only then was a second post-mortem examination ordered and two nurses suspended, an inquest later heard.

Long-serving nurses Sister Dorothy Holgate and Staff Nurse Susan Ball have been suspended on full pay since that time, awaiting the outcome of police investigations, the inquest into Charlie's death and the Internal investigation by Burnley Health Trust.

After an intensive investigation the Crown Prosecution Service decided against any criminal proceedings.

Following the two-day inquest in Burnley three months' ago, East Lancashire coroner David Smith recorded a "misadventure" verdict.

Charlie's parents, Neil Taylor and Gemma Wadsworth, of Colne welcomed the verdict. They now have another baby.

A health trust spokesman said today their investigation was still ongoing but nearing completion.

"We expect a report on the findings and decisions will go to the next meeting of the Trust Board on January 27."

The spokesman added that some aspects of the report would go to the public meeting, while others would remain private.

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