Inquiry into ill baby's treatment

Parents of a seriously ill baby claim doctors are treating her with levels of morphine that could speed up her death.

Darren and Debbie Wyatt have made an official complaint to police over the treatment of their daughter Charlotte at St Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth.

Charlotte was the focus of a legal battle in which doctors gained permission not to resuscitate her.

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust says that the use of morphine is solely to ease the baby's suffering.

To date, there is no evidence that any criminal offences have been committed by staff members Hampshire police

One-year-old Charlotte was born three months premature with massive damage to her brain and other vital organs.

The Wyatts argued she should be kept alive.

Mr Justice Hedley ruled in favour of the doctors, saying that Charlotte's quality of life would be poor if she was resuscitated.

On Tuesday, a Hampshire Police spokeswoman confirmed that an investigation had been launched.

She said: "I can confirm that we are investigating an allegation made by Mrs Wyatt on 20 November.

"Officers have the full support of the hospital staff. To date, there is no evidence that any criminal offences have been committed by staff members."

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust isn't prepared to allow anyone, even those with a sick child, to abuse staff Pat Forsyth

The complaint to police is the latest stage in hostilities between the Wyatt family and the hospital.

The NHS Trust has recently taken the step of requiring a security guard to be present whenever Mr Wyatt visited the ward.

Pat Forsyth, spokeswoman for the Trust, said: "Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust isn't prepared to allow anyone, even those with a sick child, to abuse staff.

"This level of security is a last resort following threats and allegations against our staff.

"We have a duty to protect our staff and other visitors to the unit."