Dozens of babies have either died or suffered brain injuries due to failings at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Poor care at NHS maternity units in Nottingham has led to dozens of avoidable baby deaths and injuries over the last decade.
According to the Independent and Channel 4 News, more than 200 medical negligence claims have been brought against Nottingham’s maternity services since 2010.
This included 15 cases in which a baby died, 19 stillbirths and 46 cases of babies being left with permanent brain damage.
The Independent says its investigation shows “a pattern of poor care, botched inquiries and a failure to learn the lessons that could keep mothers and their newborns safe”.
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The investigation by the Independent and Channel 4 News highlighted a number of errors, including:
A whistleblower at the Trust also revealed that:
Of the 201 medical negligence claims that have been brought against the Trust in the last decade:
The Care Quality Commission identified several failings at the Trust in an investigation last year, such as staff not monitoring babies’ heart rates or misinterpreting the readings, or inappropriately grading women and babies, so those who needed intensive care were labelled “low harm”.
Although the CQC has acknowledged that improvements have been made since then, it continues to rate the Trust as inadequate.
Worryingly, the watchdog believes the problems at Nottingham could reflect a wider issue across the country, as 41% of maternity units are currently either rated as inadequate or need improvements.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has said improving maternity services is a “top priority”, and that it’s making significant changes, such introducing digital maternity records and hiring and training more midwives.
Tracy Taylor, chief executive of the Trust, said: “We apologise from the bottom of our hearts to the families who have not received the high level of care they need and deserve. We recognise the effects have been devastating.”
She added that it will continue listening to women and families “whether they have received excellent care or where care has fallen short”, as their experiences will “help us learn and improve our services”.
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