Inquiry into baby deaths

The deaths of three babies linked to homebirths will be investigated by a WA coroner.

Coroner Sarah Linton is scheduled to preside over a nine-day public inquest into the infants' deaths, starting at the end of September.

The names of the babies, two of whom died in 2010 and the other in 2011, have been suppressed by the Coroner's Court and are referred to as Baby P, Baby C and Baby B.

It is understood one of the deaths involved former midwife Lisa Barrett.

Ms Barrett's involvement in three homebirth fatalities in South Australia between 2007 and 2011 has been investigated by a coroner.

In 2012, SA Deputy Coroner Anthony Shapel concluded the three babies' deaths would have been avoided if they were born in hospital by emergency caesarean.

Earlier this year, Ms Barrett was found guilty of professional misconduct by the Health Practitioners Tribunal in Adelaide over the death of several infants during homebirths she was involved with.

_The West Australian _has previously reported that Ms Barrett helped at a WA homebirth in July 2011 in which a twin baby died.

Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Gannon, an obstetrician, said it was always concerning to hear of such deaths.

"There is local and international evidence as to the increased risk of planned homebirth but there is a far greater risk when the attending midwives take on cases that should never be delivered at home," he said.

Homebirth Australia said women should be able to choose to give birth at home but should have access to a registered midwife.