Maternity services in one of London’s biggest hospitals needs ‘urgent improvement’

An inspection by health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), rated the maternity services at St. George’s Hospital as ‘inadequate’, following inspection in March.

Maternity services were given an overall rating of inadequate, as well as, having been rated inadequate in ‘safe’ and ‘well-led’. The CQC’s deputy director of secondary and specialist healthcare, stated:

“When we inspected maternity services at St George’s Hospital, it was concerning to see a deterioration in the standard of care being delivered.

“We saw areas where significant and urgent improvements are needed to ensure safe care is provided to women, people using this service, and their babies.”

Inspectors from the CQC described the delivery suite as a “chaotic environment without clear organisation or leadership”, as well as other facilities within the maternity unit as ageing and in ‘disrepair’.

The severity of incidents were found to be often downgraded or graded inappropriately as ‘adverse incidents’ instead of ‘serious incidents’, including stillbirths. Investigations into these were also not always done in a timely manner.

How can Oakwood Solicitors help in such cases?

We have a specialist team dedicated to this area of law. Injuries to both the mother and baby can have a profound impact on everyday life. Whether this has arisen from the failure to identify the progression of labour, mismanagement of maternal conditions, surgical errors or retained placenta.

We can help you recover compensation for pain and suffering caused by injury, lifelong cost of medical care and rehabilitation, the cost of any special equipment and alterations to your home, the cost of everything your child might need in the future – such as a care provider, special education and personal equipment as your child grows.

If you feel that you have experienced a traumatic birth or are worried about the care you or your baby received during your birth, contact our team. According to NHS Resolution, the average payout for birth injury is £50,000.

Further reading

Mother birthing injuries – Oakwood Solicitors

Child birthing injuries – Oakwood Solicitors

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