A DALTON father who helped to uncover unsafe practices at a hospital has been honoured by the Queen.

Dalton dad James Titcombe travelled to London yesterday to be made an OBE by HRH Queen Elizabeth.

The 37-year-old received the award for services to patient safety watched by wife Hoa and daughters Emily, 10 and Jessica, 6.

Mr Titcombe mounted a six-year campaign which revealed failings and corruption at all levels of the NHS following the death of his son Joshua, in October 2008.

The baby died just nine days after his birth at Furness General Hospital, in Barrow, after medics failed to spot he had a treatable infection.

Mr Titcombe’s actions resulted in the launch of the Morecambe Bay Investigation into practices within Barrow’s maternity unit.

Speaking to the Evening Mail yesterday, Mr Titcombe said he had mixed emotions about the event as it had been borne out of tragic circumstances.

“It’s been a really lovely day,” he said.

“Everyone at the palace has been absolutely fantastic and the girls have had a wonderful time.

“I feel very honoured to receive this award on behalf of myself and other families But obviously, we’ve had mixed emotions because we were there under very sad circumstances.”

Government appointed expert Dr Bill Kirkup concluded in his Morecambe Bay Investigation report in March that 11 babies and one mother had died needlessly at FGH because of a dangerous drift away from recognised midwifery practice, poor communication between midwives and doctors and failures at supervisory and management levels.

A series of changes to the way maternity units are supervised nationally is being made in a bid to prevent a similar situation – and further loss of life – occurring elsewhere.

Mr Titcombe, who left his career in the nuclear industry to pursue a career in patient safety, now works for the government’s health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission.