G (A Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 1365 (22 October 2014)

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Re: G (A Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 1365 (22 October 2014)

Gosh, this is a tough one. I do agree that H’s condition on arrival at hospital must be taken into consideration. It seems like there were more injuries then could be attributed to the consequences of the mother's streptococcal infection. Having said that I am worried about knee jerk reactions especially to recent media coverage of harrowing abuse and neglect often attributed to failures in the social care system.
I cannot however forget cases such as that of Lorraine Allen and let us not forget that medical expertise played a huge part in the conviction of the Maguire seven (Guildford Four) and the Birmingham Six.
This is not a case about material possessions. This is about human lives. I cannot bear to think of any child suffering in what should be the sanctuary of home however it would be diabolical if this woman was innocent but lost her child. It would also be catastrophic if a sound argument was raised in a few years when H had settled into the adoptive family. Surely the stakes are high enough to allow the appeal?