Key facts
- A study of documents indicates that sick babies deemed unadoptable were allowed to die at St Monica's Maternity Home in Cumbria.
- The home, run by the Church of England, operated from 1918 to 1970.
- Babies with disabilities were reportedly denied access to modern medical care.
- The research suggests that infants who were not desirable for adoption were disproportionately affected.
- The Diocese of Carlisle has issued an apology for malpractice and pledged full transparency.
- One man, whose wife and son were affected, feels vindicated after decades of seeking the truth.
A new study of historical documents suggests that sick infants considered unsuitable for adoption were allowed to die at St Monica's Maternity Home in Cumbria, a facility run by the Church of England. The findings, compiled by Dr. Michael Lambert, a lecturer in medical humanities at Lancaster University, indicate that babies with disabilities or those whose mothers were unmarried were denied necessary medical care.
Steve Hindley, whose wife Judith was sent to the home in 1964 after being raped, has welcomed the report. His son, Stephen, born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, died at 11 weeks old after being denied hospital treatment. Judith Hindley, who struggled with the trauma of the experience, died by suicide in 2006.
Dr. Lambert's 80-page report, based on hundreds of archival documents, concluded that Stephen was "left or enabled to die in what were deemed his best interests" due to his disability and his mother's unmarried status. The research also found that other "unadoptable" babies died at the home, which operated from 1918 until its closure in 1970. Annual reports indicate that at least 400 babies were adopted from the home, while death certificates for over 50 babies between 1933 and 1967 have been reviewed.
More than 40 of these deaths occurred during the 27-year tenure of matron Elsie Stannard, described in the report as "incompetent and fixated on petty cruelty." Some babies died from treatable conditions, while others suffered fatal head injuries, possibly sustained during childbirth.
Jan Lawden, another former resident, shared her experience of being sent to St Monica's at 15 with her newborn son, Julian, in 1968. She described the home as being "a bit like being in prison" and spent decades searching for information about her son, who she was recently told died in his late 20s.
The Diocese of Carlisle has welcomed the report, thanked Dr. Lambert for his work, and offered "heartfelt apologies" to those affected. They have committed to full transparency in support of any police investigation. Steve Hindley, now 80, feels his mission to uncover the truth and achieve justice for his wife and son has been fulfilled.