Concerns have been raised about an NHS maternity service as whistleblowers say the poor culture and staff shortages have led to avoidable baby deaths.
Former midwives at Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Trust have revealed the issues within the hospital while speaking to BBC Panorama.
Devastating stories were heard due to the NHS failings. This included the death of a newborn baby after the trust failed to take action against two staff members, despite concerns being raised by colleagues after the death of another baby 11 months earlier.
The issues have been raised at Cheltenham Birth Centre, where women with low-risk pregnancies have the choice of giving birth there under the care of midwives.
However, there are not any emergency facilities in the centre, and in the event of complications, patients should be transferred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, 30 minutes away.
However, on both occasions, the midwives did not get their patients transferred to the emergency care quickly enough.
Jasper White died in July 2019 and Margot Bowtell died in May 2020.
The two midwives on duty for both deaths are being investigated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. One has been suspended and the other has interim restrictions on her practice.
According to statistics, ten per cent of maternity units in England are rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission, including the Gloucestershire Trust. BBC Panorama spoke to former and current staff at the Gloucestershire Trust which revealed the ‘desperate’ situation, and the ‘dangerous lack of staff’.
During the investigations, BBC Panorama found that in the first six months of 2023, the trust was short of more than 50 midwifery staff on average.
It also found that seven women under the care of the trust died while pregnant or shortly after giving birth between 2018 and 2022 – around twice the UK average for maternal deaths.
Meanwhile, an investigation into the death of one baby whose mother faced delays in inducing her labour, found that sufficient staffing levels may have altered the outcome for the baby.
Causes of birth and maternity injuries
Injuries to mothers arise during the pregnancy itself or as a result of child birth. These injuries can be a natural part of having a baby however, some birth injuries are avoidable and take place during labour or delivery.
Every mother is entitled to a good standard of antenatal care and your midwife, nurse or Doctor should detect any signs which could lead to a birth injury. Some main causes of maternity injuries include:
- Failure to identify the progression of labour
- Mismanagement of maternal conditions such as high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia
- Decisions about the mode and timing of delivery e.g. should a c-section have been brought forward
- Mismanagement of infection e.g. Group B Strep
- Surgical errors
- Retained Placenta, sometimes resulting in infection.
Who can bring about a claim?
The victim of the negligence can bring about a claim in their own right. However, it may sadly be the case that the victim is no longer able to bring about a claim or has passed. In such circumstances a claim can be brought about the executor of the estate or authorised person.
For further information about whether you are able to bring about a claim, please contact the medical negligence team who will be able to advise further.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Claims of this nature are subject to a three year limitation period. This means that claims have to be commenced within the courts in three years of either the date the negligent act occurred or the date you became aware that negligence had occurred.
In cases involving deceased victims this limitation period commences from the date of death and in cases involving minors, the limitation period starts when they reach their 18th Birthday.
The law surrounding limitation periods is complex, our specialist team will be able to advise further.
Further reading
Child birthing injuries – Oakwood Solicitors
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Jade Glover is a Solicitor in the Medical Negligence team. She has worked for the company for over 9 years and completed her training during that time. She has specialised in Personal Injury clai…
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