Derriford hospital has been criticised by the coroner for failings in the care given to a baby boy.

An inquest has heard that Ethan Cross was born in Bristol in September 2009 with some of his internal organs outside his body, but after an operation was transferred to Derriford on a ventilator because his condition was not considered to be life threatening.

The coroner says Ethan's death on November 7th appears to have been caused by a breathing tube becoming dislodged - he added that the team were too slow to identify this and replace it.

He concluded that individually competent people failed collectively in this critical situation and that a new doctor expected to take charge lacked confidence.

The coroner said there had been some bad failings, but acknowledged that the hospital had undertaken a thorough investigation and made a number of changes in neonatal care.

The Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust say they include a new scheme of training on resuscitating babies and monitoring the carbon dioxide levels of any child on a ventilator.

They have also changed the way they record the whereabouts of senior ward staff so that they can be located more easily.

The trust added in a statement that they are extremely sorry for any failings in care and will consider the full coroners' findings to see whether any further action is needed.

The coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.