Blackpool Victoria Hospital is facing calls for a wider investigation following the deaths of two toddlers, Preston Davey and Damion Russell, both of whom were murdered by their fathers. Critics argue that the hospital failed to properly address signs of abuse in both cases.
Thirteen-month-old Preston Davey was sexually and physically abused by his adoptive father, Jamie Varley, before his death in July 2023. An independent review is currently examining how agencies handled his case. Just one day before one of Preston’s final hospital visits, two-year-old Damion Russell was brought to the same A&E department. Medics noted a bruise on Damion’s head but did not question his father, Daniel Hardcastle, about its cause. Damion was killed by Hardcastle in a violent attack two months later in August 2023.
A safeguarding review confirmed that the failure to question the father in Damion’s case did not meet expected standards. Similarly, staff had accepted a misleading video from Varley as an explanation for Preston’s injuries. Both children had been recently placed with these men following time in foster care.
Members of Parliament Chris Webb and Andrew Snowden are now pushing for a comprehensive public inquiry into these failures. Hannah Joy Hocking, who is supporting Damion’s mother, emphasized that Damion’s case should be included in any broader investigation. In response, hospital chief executive Maggie Oldham stated that the trust is reinforcing procedures to ensure staff are diligent in examining injuries and questioning caregivers, noting that work to improve these practices began before the review into Damion’s death was released.
