Legal Experts Urge Trust To Take 'Necessary And Decisive Action' To Improve Care

Expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are representing a number of families affected by maternity care failings at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Earlier this year, the BBC published an initial investigation which revealed that the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mums over a five-year period may have been preventable. 

The BBC has since been contacted by nearly 50 additional families who have come forward with concerns about their own experiences of maternity care in Leeds. They include Heidi Mayman and Dale Morton, whose daughter Lyla died at just four-days-old in 2019 after her traumatic birth at Leeds General Infirmary.

Irwin Mitchell secured the couple an undisclosed settlement in respect of their family's care.

Families have raised serious concerns about unsafe practices, poor communication, and a lack of compassionate care at the Trust’s maternity units at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital.

In response to the latest findings, Katie Warner an expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, has issued the following statement:

Expert Opinion

“The issue of maternity services in Leeds continues to be a great concern and we continue to be contacted by a growing number of families needing help.

“Those families have suffered the devastation of either losing a baby, their child being left with life-long disabilities and/or mums being left seriously injured. Their experiences vividly highlight the importance of ensuring the highest standards of maternity safety are upheld at all times.

“Our clients’ experiences illustrate ongoing issues with the standard of care being provided. All families who have suffered injury or loss as a result of maternity care provided in Leeds deserve honest answers regarding their care and information about what’s being done to improve maternity safety for others.

“These latest reports just add to our clients’ fears.

“Many of our clients have experienced issues such as poor communication between medical staff and families, the heart-rate monitoring of babies and not listening to mums’ concerns.

“We’re working to secure answers for our clients, along with ensuring, where appropriate, they receive damages so they can access the specialist support or access to life-long therapies and rehabilitation they require.

“It’s sadly too late for our clients but we once again call on the Hospital Trust to ensure it actually does take the necessary and decisive action needed to ensure that improvements in maternity care are made.” Katie Warner

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting families affected by maternity care issues at our dedicated birth injuries section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.