Leeds maternity services: Lawyers instructed by more than 50 families with care concerns

An investigation into maternity services in Leeds has formally begun – with lawyers supporting more than 50 families with care concerns.

A meeting with families and senior midwife Donna Ockenden, who will lead the inquiry, has been held. It gave parents the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns.

The review will examine maternity and neonatal services run by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust over a 15-year period and could involve up to 3,000 cases.

Legal experts supporting dozens of Leeds families

Specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are representing more than 50 families affected by poor maternity and neonatal care in Leeds, including members of the Leeds Maternity Safety Support Group.

The legal experts are supporting parents who have either lost a baby or their child has suffered serious injury in birth resulting in life-long disabilities. They are also representing mums seriously injured during childbirth and families who have suffered a maternal death.

Maternity and neonatal care review launch a signifcant moment

Katie Warner is a specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the families.

"The start of the independent review by Donna Ockenden is a hugely significant moment for the families we represent and for many others across Leeds who have spent years campaigning for answers.

 

"Many families have endured the unimaginable loss of a baby, life-changing injuries to their children or serious harm to mums. Those who have come forward so far have shown incredible courage and determination in speaking out and ensuring that their experiences are properly heard.

 

"We currently represent more than 50 families in claims arising from maternity and neonatal care provided at Leeds and continue to be contacted by families seeking answers.

 

“This could be just the tip of the iceberg and as the review gets underway, we anticipate that those numbers will only increase.

 

"For families affected, this review represents an important opportunity to find out what went wrong, why it happened, whether opportunities to improve care may have been missed and what needs to change for the future.

 

"The independent review must ultimately be judged not by the evidence it gathers but by the improvements it delivers. Too often, maternity investigations and patient safety reports have identified important lessons, only for recommendations not to be acted upon or take too long to be implemented in practice.

 

"It is vital that every family affected is listened to and are part of the process, that staff feel able to speak openly and honestly, and that the findings lead to meaningful, lasting improvements in maternity and neonatal services.

 

"Our clients are clear that this process is not simply about looking back. They want to help ensure that no other family has to experience the pain and trauma they have suffered. We’ll now be supporting families throughout the Inquiry and helping them ensure their voices remain at the heart of the process."