YOUR article headlined 'New mum accused of harming baby tells of her arrest trauma' (Gazette, July 11), coming as it did on the day the same news was on national TV, both appalled me and shocked me that lessons have not been learned.

Approximately four years ago, some close friends of mine experienced similar but not quite as horrifying treatment a few weeks after the birth of their mixed-race son.

Blue spot had been diagnosed after his birth and his parents were told of the condition. A condition of which they had not heard until that point.

READ MORE: 'Helpless' mum stuck in police cell after hospital mistake birthmark for abuse

On his first check-up, at Andover hospital, after taking his clothes off, the attitude of the nursing staff changed and his parents were told, without any explanation, that they had to take him immediately to Winchester hospital paediatric department.

On arrival there the attitude of the nursing staff was non-conciliatory, and after disrobing the child, they were then told he would have to be examined by a doctor.

Without any further discussion or explanation, they were then left in a side room with their son for nearly two hours. As soon as a doctor saw the baby his first words were 'that's blue spot, not abuse. Discharge him'.

After complaining to Winchester hospital, they did receive an apology, but no explanation as to why the notes were not checked, or why abuse was considered as the cause rather than the possibility of blue spot.

Doing some research online four years ago, my friends were able to identify many similar instances of failures to consider blue spot all over the UK, leading to confrontation between parents and nursing staff.

Surely it is now time that the NHS grasped the importance of adequate training and communication about this condition so as to ensure as much as practical:

A. That blue spot is always considered as a possibility on first examination of children within the at-risk group.

B. That, if diagnosed, it is always included in the child's medical records.

C. That all nursing staff involved in the examination and care of babies are correctly trained to include the condition in their training.

D. When abuse is considered as a possibility, nursing staff should check the notes for any mention of blue spot.

Finally, I would add that following the case reported on by yourselves, it would be worth including the question 'have you considered blue spot', for all police personnel who may be involved in liaising with nursing staff on cases of potential child abuse. That again identifies an area for additional training and education.

Mark Grainger

Andover

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was asked what it is doing to improve the experience of parents whose baby has blue spot. 

It said: “Protecting babies and children will always take priority; differentiating bruising from Blue Spot is neither quick or straightforward and it is important staff take the time needed to asses children properly.

“Safeguarding decisions are led by Children’s Services, including NHS Trusts, and made with representatives from a number of agencies according to a clear, agreed protocol.

"We listen to feedback very carefully and are working to ensure that our staff communicate with clarity as well as compassion, recognising the immensely challenging situations many families are in when they attend hospital with their children.”