Health Secretary Wes Streeting has just announced the launch of a national inquiry into maternity and neonatal care. The inquiry is set to “urgently” investigate the worst-performing maternity units – such as those in Leeds, Sussex, Gloucester, and Mid & South Essex. It will begin this summer, with findings promised by December 2025.
Streeting’s decision to launch the investigation came on the back of him having met with a number of bereaved parents who lost babies in a series of serious maternity scandals including Morecombe Bay, East Kent, Nottingham, and more recently Shrewsbury and Telford. The plan is to involve bereaved parents in the investigation and give them a say in how it is run.
The first stage of the inquiry will focus on up to ten of the most troubled Trusts, providing families with swift answers. The second will deliver a comprehensive review of maternity and neonatal care across the country, consolidating lessons from past failures into a national action plan.
Why is this important?
Though our work we often see the same issues leading to preventable harm across the country. Our existing system is localised learning so that Trusts do not learn from each other’s mistakes and in some headline making cases they don’t seem to be learning even from their own. An investigation bringing together findings from many hospitals is a unique opportunity to improve patient safety and protect mothers and babies from preventable harm.
At Enable Law we specialise in supporting people and their loved ones whose lives have been changed or cut short because of medical negligence. We have many colleagues who have dedicated their careers to investigating claims linked to the medical care received during pregnancy, labour and after so if you or a close relative of yours have concerns about the care you received, we will be able to help you. All initial discussions are free of charge and aim to help us and you understand what may have happened and how it impacted you and your loved one. To speak to Jackie Linehan or one of our solicitors call 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form so we can call you back at a time convenient to you.
