But professor John Ashton, north-east regional director of public health for the NHS, was sceptical as to whether there was any foundation for the claim of regional differences at all.

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There may be an established nonprofit that has staked its claim, and the American Lighthouse Foundation is gunning for everything it can get.

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Miss Dean, who is expecting a daughter in August, and her partner are pursuing a personal injury claim against Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

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Her claim was rejected by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.

BBC: Rebecca Leighton