By Annie DavidsonA POLICE investigation has been launched following claims a baby suffered injuries while being cared for at one of the country's leading children's hospitals.

By Annie Davidson

A POLICE investigation has been launched following claims a baby suffered injuries while being cared for at one of the country's leading children's hospitals.

Officers are also looking into claims that medical equipment being used in the care of the three-and-a-half-month old baby from Clacton had been tampered with.

Staff from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London contacted the Metropolitan Police at the beginning of the month after the baby boy allegedly suffered broken bones while being treated in the intensive care unit.

Claims that medical equipment had been tampered with were made a week later.

The baby's mother Sharon Chipperfield, 20, from Clacton, told a national newspaper that her son had been born 11 weeks prematurely at Colchester General Hospital.

He was in Great Ormond Street Hospital - where he is still being cared for - for a bowel operation when the alleged incidents happened.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “The child protection major investigation team is investigating two incidents at Great Ormond Street Hospital involving a three-and-a-half-month old child.

“On the February 3, medical staff contacted us in connection with possible injuries to the child. An open mind is being kept regarding the injuries as it is possible there is a medical explanation.

On February 10 we were contacted by medical staff in connection with medical equipment which was used to care for the child which had possibly been tampered with. Inquiries are continuing at this relatively early stage.”

A spokesman for the London hospital said: “We are unable to comment at this time because of an ongoing police investigation. We will make a comment about this incident as soon as we can.”

annie.davidson@eadt.co.uk