Experts React After More Than 50 Issues Are Reported In Past Five Years

Lawyers who specialise in helping victims of patient safety failings have called for Shropshire and Telford Hospital Trust to provide urgent evidence that standards at the organisation are improving, after data revealed the scale of problems in its maternity care.

According to figures obtained by the Daily Mirror, the trust has reported 51 ‘serious incidents’ in relation to maternity since 2012. While the nature of the problems has not been disclosed, it is thought they do include instances in which babies had died.

Reacting to the figures, the trust did state that data for both 2012/13 and 2013/14 was different and included other issues such as admissions to neonatal intensive care. However, the trust admitted responsibility for all 11 incidents across 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17.

The release of the information has come after it was confirmed that investigations were underway in relation to the deaths of 15 babies and three mums at the trust.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Medical Law and Patients’ Rights team have vast experience of helping those affected by care failings, including patients who have suffered following treatment at Shropshire and Telford Hospital Trust in the past.

Expert Opinion

“It is an incredible concern to see the release of these figures and the scale of the issues which have been reported by the NHS trust.

“This data raises a range of questions related to the care that both mothers and children received in maternity and whether more could have been done to prevent the issues which arose. While we do not know the specifics on these cases, it is clear that every effort has to be made to improve standards and ensure that the number of incidents is dramatically reduced.

“Expectant parents place great faith in the NHS and healthcare providers that they will provide the best possible care and ensure that their children enter the world safely and without harm. These figures do little to reduce the concerns raised about this NHS trust in recent times and it is vital improvements are not only made but shared widely.

“Patients deserve reassurances that standards are on the rise.” Sara Burns - Partner