Chester Mossop
20 Apr 2023 · Coroner Kirsty Gomersal · Cumbria
The coroner's concerns
1. bath seats
“The use of bath seats is of concern to RoSPA”
2. false sense of security
“I am concerned that bath seats may given parents a false sense of security that their child is safe”
3. lack of advice
“I am not aware whether parents / carers are provided with advice about the safe use of bath seats as part of e.g. health visits”
4. lack of national advice
“I am not aware that similar advice has been distributed on a national level to healthcare professionals and to parents / carers”
Responses
2023-0127-Response-from-NHS-England.pdf ↗· Department for Business and Trade
Stated action · imminently
“NHS England will be updating its 'Washing and bathing your baby' website page to include guidance on the use of bath seats for babies. This will make clear that bath seats for babies are not recommended for use by RoSPA or by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), who we have engaged with on this matter, and that they are not safety devices. The update to the website will also include text to raise awareness with parents/carers that babies can drown within seconds, in just a few centimetres”
2023-0127-Response-from-OPSS.pdf ↗· Department for Business and Trade
Stated action
“OPSS will be assessing the safety and compliance for similar models of baby bath seat to assess their compliance with legal requirements”
2023-0127-Response-from-Product-Safety-Standards-.pdf ↗· Department for Business and Trade
Stated action
“OPSS will be assessing the safety and compliance for similar models of baby bath seat to assess their compliance with legal requirements”