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Posted on 11th April 2022
A review of a Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has unearthed shocking evidence of poor maternity care.
- Hundreds of families have come forward to report substandard treatment at two hospitals.
- Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS England launched the probe after healthcare regulators deemed care standards to be “inadequate”.
- Multiple cases of brain injuries to new-born babies and stillbirths have been identified.
- Birth injury negligence claims could be set to rise as new evidence emerges of pregnant women being put at unnecessary risk.
CQC rates Nottingham University Hospitals “inadequate” for maternity care
In 2020 assessors from The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found maternity care administered at Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital to be “inadequate”.
They highlighted several areas of concern at the hospitals, including:
- Leadership quality and staff culture
- High vacancy levels for key maternity care positions
- Poor health risk monitoring
In March 2022, the CQC confirmed that assessors had returned to the Nottingham University Hospitals Trust maternity units responsible to assess progress in relation to these concerns. They also approached local faith leaders and attended local antenatal units to broaden the scope of their investigations.
Hundreds of potential maternity care negligence cases
Following the CQC’s initial 2020 assessment, Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS England reached out to families who had received maternity care at the Trust’s hospitals.
Hundreds came forward to report poor treatment, with several serious incidents forming the basis for birth injury claims. The trust has paid out millions of pounds to compensate the families of those affected.
Some of the most alarming incidents reported between 2010 and 2020 include more than 40 babies suffering brain damage and 19 stillbirths.
A history of birth injury negligence
This is not the first time that poor care at the Trust’s hospitals has been highlighted. In 2021 we reported the findings of an investigation by the Independent and Channel 4 News which found high rates of brain damaged babies, stillbirths and elevated mortality rates at the hospitals.
At the time, the CQC even discussed the possibility of criminal charges being brought against the Trust after concerns were raised about a lack of transparency surrounding the way serious incidents were reported to family members.
Potential for more birth injury compensation claims
So far, the review team has thanked families for their participation in the feedback process and urged anyone else who has suffered substandard maternity care at either of the Trust’s hospitals to come forward.
The review will conclude on the 30th of November 2022 and will consider reports from as far back as 2006. This means there is still significant potential for more families to record more cases of poor maternity care provision which could form the basis for maternity negligence compensation claims.
If you or a family member has experienced substandard maternity care at either of the Nottingham University Hospitals Trust’s hospitals, speak to a qualified medical negligence solicitor today for free initial advice. You may be eligible to make a no-win, no-fee birth injury compensation claim and secure the support you deserve to help make things right.
