Missed opportunities by NHS Trust did not contribute to 22-month-year-old girl's death
Ella-Rose Clover was murdered in 2018 by her Godmother's boyfriend
Last updated 17th Dec 2021
A solicitor is calling on the Children's Minister to investigate the death of a toddler from Wythenshawe after a Coroner's ruling found that there is not enough evidence to say missed opportunities by Manchester NHS Foundation Trust contributed to her death.
Ella-Rose Clover was 22-months-old when she was murdered by her Godmother's boyfriend, Michael Wild, 32, who is currently serving life in prison.
Before her death in 2018, Ella has been taken to hospital nine times within seven months with bruising and internal injuries.
The 22 month year-old's bruises included marks to her ear and legs and a black eye, and one occasion she required emergency surgery to her bowel.
An inquest heard doctors believed there may have been a rare medical cause and the Coroner ruled that there wasn't enough evidence to say their missed opportunities contributed to her death.
The family of a toddler from Wythenshawe said they're shocked and gutted over the Coroner's ruling.
"I am instructed to pursue a civil claim for Ella's mother"
Diana Rostron, solicitor for Ella's family, said: "It is one thing for a child to be abused and hidden at home. It is another thing for a child to repeatedly attend hospital with increasingly serious unexplained injuries.
"Injuries that the hospital accept could very well have been accidental on all the occasions she attended, and yet the suggestion is children services, Greater Manchester Police, could not have protected her.
"I am instructed to contact the Children's Minister. I am instructed to contact the Chief Executive of the NSPCC. I will be writing directly to the trust, and I am instructed to pursue a civil claim for Ella's mother."
During her inquest, Manchester NHS Foundation Trust told the court that staff should have known her life was at risk for months after she was taken to hospital several times with injuries before she died.
The Trust say they have since made improvements on the safety and protection of vulnerable young children since her death.