Court date set for FAI into deaths of two toddlers at Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children

An investigation into the deaths of two toddlers who died at a hospital will take place in March next year.

Cailyn Newlands and Sonny Campbell died at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children on December 6, 2016.

Cailyn – who was 23-months old – and Sonny – aged 22 months – were not treated by the same doctors nor encountered each other at hospital.

A preliminary hearing took place at Glasgow Sheriff Court into the deaths.

It was stated that the inquiry will last between March 17 and 28, 2025.

Fiscal depute Isabella Ennis told the hearing that issues are outstanding regarding the training records for junior doctors and information from nurses working at the hospital at the time.

A further preliminary hearing will take place in August this year.

The inquiry will focus on the circumstances of Sonny and Cailyn’s deaths, with particular focus on guidance, training, the medical assessments of the children and whether the children should have been assessed by a senior doctor or consultant.

The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and to establish what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.