MORE than 200 mother and baby deaths have been examined and at least 50 will require further review as the investigation into the maternity unit at Furness General Hospital (FGH) continues.

Official documents have revealed the team working on the Morecambe Bay Investigation, led by former Hillsborough investigator Dr Bill Kirkup, has looked at 200 maternal, perinatal and neonatal deaths since the inquiry opened.

More than a quarter have been flagged for an in-depth ‘full case review’, according to official documents made public as part of the probe.

“I am concerned that 50 cases have been identified as being worthy of further investigation,” said Furness MP John Woodcock.

“But it was always vital that this inquiry would be rigorous and our community will be reassured that Dr Kirkup and his team are doing their jobs thoroughly.

“It is the task of this inquiry to find out if there have been any blunders that have not come to light, or whether there have been any attempts to cover up mistakes and I hope the team's work will lead to a report that can provide answers for those who have lost loved ones, as well as highlighting work that still needs to be done to improve the safety of mothers and babies.”

The investigation into maternity services run by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust was ordered by government ministers after a campaign fought by Dalton father James Titcombe, whose son Joshua died at the hospital in 2008.

The investigation set out to look at mother and baby deaths which occurred on the unit between 2004 and 2013, including those of mother and son, Nittaya and Chester Hendrickson, and baby, Alex Davey-Brady, also in 2008.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said at the outset that the investigation should provide answers as to what went 'so desperately wrong'.

It is expected the inquiry will draw to a close sometime before Christmas.

“As we move towards the ends of the Kirkup inquiry I have a few hopes and some questions I’d like to see answered,” said South Lakes MP, Tim Farron.

“Firstly I’d like to see the trust apologise for the hurt and pain that this whole process has caused.

“I’d also like to see them hold their hands up and admit they made mistakes.”

* An earlier version of this online report stated that 50 more deaths were to be reviewed. We have been asked to point out that, in fact, these 50 deaths - which are to be further reviewed - are part of, and not in addition to, the original 200 deaths.