Kahui inquest: Hospital staff had no concerns

Chris and Cru Kahui died of massive head injuries in June 2006. Photo / Supplied

Professionals who worked with the Kahui family prior to the deaths of babies Chris and Cru had no cause for concern other than the parents' infrequent hospital visits, an inquest told today.

Coroner Garry Evans is holding the inquest into the deaths of the three-month-old boys in Auckland District Court. He has turned his attention to the avenues available to health professionals for reporting child abuse and dealing with its victims.

Early childhood educator Kathryn Stent looked after the twins' sibling Shane, who was about one-year-old at the time, at Kidz First Children's Hospital while the premature twins were in the neonatal unit.

Shane always appeared well looked after and healthy - his hair was always brushed, face washed and he had clothes and shoes which fitted him, she said.

This was far better than many other children she saw at the south Auckland Hospital.

"Some children would arrive hair not brushed, teeth not cleaned, drinking coke for breakfast," she said.

Shane had a "warm" relationship with his parents, Macsyna King and Chris Kahui, she said.

The parents did not visit the twins in hospital as much as she would have liked, but their visits were far more frequent than some other parents, she said.

Kidz First nurse Jane Eyres also said the infrequency of their visits did not raise real concerns.

"Had there been any (concerns for the twins safety and welfare) I would not have hesitated in having other health care professionals or agencies involved.

"They were beautiful babies and they were growing appropriately," she said.

- NZPA