Siobhan Desmond (44) is undergoing painstaking research after losing her own child at Altnagelvin in 2001.

She has called for an independent inquiry into the number of neo-natal deaths at the hospital between 2000 and 2004.

However, Altnagelvin has said that the numbers are not above average and compared with other hospitals.

Four neo-natal deaths in the space of one week in 2006 are already the subject of a hospital probe.

Late last year the hospital confirmed that it asked the Coroner's Office to investigate the infants' deaths.

Now Ms Redmond, who has just fought breast cancer, says she wants other mums to come forward in the hope that an independent investigation will also take place.

Statistics provided to DUP MP Iris Robinson in the House of Commons have revealed that there were nine still-births at Altnagelvin in 2000, 13 in 2001, 14 in 2002, 18 in 2003 and 21 in 2004.

Ms Redmond said that a full inquiry has to be held into the total.

"I lost my baby boy at Altnagelvin in 2001," she said.

"I am now hoping that we can press for an independent inquiry by the Healthcare Commission in London.

"This is not just about my baby, it is not about scapegoating anyone, it is about whether procedures need to be changed, and if so, changing them."

A spokeswoman from Altnagelvin said that like all maternity units in the UK, Altnagelvin's neo-natal and still birth rates are routinely independently monitored both regionally and nationally by CEMACH - the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health - and NICORE - Neonatal Intensive Care Outcomes, Research and Evaluation.

She said that the trust also took part in a wide-ranging audit of maternity services commissioned by the DHSSPS and undertaken by Price Waterhouse Coopers, which reported in October 2006.

In addition, the trust is part of the international Vermont Oxford Network, which gathers multiple outcome measures on pre-term births.

She continued: "While there are variations year by year, the reports of all of these monitoring bodies indicate that Altnagelvin's stillbirth, peri-natal and neo-natal death rates are comparable to other similar size hospitals and in some cases, its figures are better on average."

On the subject of a new inquiry she added: "We would not have any concerns about an independent enquiry as suggested.

"However, given the current extensive independent monitoring of maternity and child health services in which we are involved, we would suggest that a further inquiry would provide little additional information that would be of benefit to the public or to our patients and staff. "

Ms Redmond can been contacted on 028 7126 7680 or on babyresearch@hot mail.co.uk