Maternity care in the UK continues to be under the spotlight. There have been various reviews and investigations undertaken over the last few years. Most recently Donna Ockenden led an investigation into failings in maternity care in Nottingham and recent we have the final report from Baroness Amos.

The Baroness Amos Maternity and Neonatal Care Report

Baroness Amos was asked to consider failings in maternity care because the government feels these failings are undermining the trust of UK families in the NHS. Baroness Amos was assisted by a team of researchers who heard from families affected and visited NHS Hospitals in England to understand what change was needed.

The introduction to the report states clearly:

“The work of this investigation has led us to the conclusion that the maternity and neonatal system needs urgent reform, putting safety at its centre and embedding listening to women and anti-racism and discrimination practice at every level.”

Key Findings and Recommendations

The report made 8 recommendations:

1. Appoint a national Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner to drive change and implement a redesigned maternity and neonatal system.
2. Listen, always, to the voices of women, birthing people and families.
3. Improve how the system responds and learns when something goes wrong.
4. Create a framework which sets out national standards to consistently achieve high-quality maternity and neonatal care.
5. Tackle racism, discrimination and inequality.
6. Improve system governance and accountability structures and regulatory oversight.
7. Improve culture and teamworking and strengthen leadership at all levels of the system and across professions.
8. Deliver buildings and digital systems that are fit for modern maternity and neonatal care.

Concerns About Implementation

There has been a lot of discussion about the report and its recommendations over the last week or so with critics doubting that the change so urgently needed will be made.

Guy Forster, President of APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) welcomes meaningful and swift change saying:

“There has been a myriad of well-intentioned reports and investigations over the years – and here is yet another one. A line in the sand must be drawn and immediate urgent action taken to stem the tidal wave of avoidable harm and fatalities among mums and babies due to negligent care.”

The report highlights many of the issues that families affected by maternity negligence have raised for years, including failures to listen to concerns, poor communication, inadequate investigations and delays in recognising problems during pregnancy, labour and neonatal care.

Maternity Negligence and Birth Injury Claims

Lester Aldridge regularly acts for families who have suffered fatalities or whose children suffered brain injury leading to developmental delay or cerebral palsy as a result of negligent care during pregnancy, traumatic births and / or negligent neonatal care and treatment.

Many birth injury claims arise following failures during pregnancy, labour, delivery or neonatal care. These failures can have lifelong consequences for children and their families, particularly where avoidable brain injuries lead to conditions such as cerebral palsy or developmental delay.

Time and again we hear from families that their concerns were dismissed during pregnancy, labour and beyond. We hear harrowing accounts of failures to meet even minimum care requirements. Then, when things go wrong, families often have to battle against Trusts that are unwilling to properly review and investigate their own failings, take accountability, and provide meaningful answers.

We are committed to helping these families.

Lester Aldridge has extensive experience representing families affected by maternity negligence, birth injuries and complex clinical negligence claims. David Healy, and Liz Oaten, have a wealth of experience of succeeding in birth injury claims. Together with the wider team, they fight for families to get the best outcome, often where other firms of solicitors have been unable to succeed.

Within the team we hold APIL membership. Liz Oaten is a member of APIL and has consistently been accredited and re-accredited as a specialist clinical negligence lawyer with APIL, AvMA and the Law Society.

Melanie Lidstone-Land, is also accredited by AvMA and a Senior Litigator with APIL.

Liz says: “The publication of Baroness Amos’s report into maternity and neonatal services is a welcome development. It is imperative that renewed focus is placed on improving the safety and quality of maternity care across all services, with cohesive care plans, effective multidisciplinary teamwork, and a commitment to delivering safer outcomes for mothers and babies.

Regrettably, the report reflects my own professional experience that far too many women, babies, and families continue to suffer the devastating consequences of care falling below an acceptable standard. The impact of such failures can be life-changing, resulting in profound and lasting consequences for those affected.

It is a great responsibility and privilege to represent families during some of the most challenging periods of their lives. If this report achieves one lasting outcome, it should be to drive meaningful improvements in maternity and neonatal care, reducing the number of lives impacted by avoidable harm and ensuring safer outcomes for future generations of families.”

How Lester Aldridge Can Help

If you or your child have been affected by substandard maternity or neonatal care, our specialist Clinical Negligence team may be able to help. We can advise you on whether you may have grounds to pursue a claim and explain the options available to you.

To speak with Liz Oaten, Melanie Lidstone-Land or another member of our Clinical Negligence team, contact Lester Aldridge on 01202 786260 or complete our online enquiry form.

FAQs

What is the Baroness Amos maternity report?

A national review examining failings in maternity and neonatal care in England and recommending reforms to improve safety and accountability.

What is maternity negligence?

Maternity negligence occurs when care provided during pregnancy, labour, delivery or postnatal treatment falls below a reasonable standard and causes avoidable harm.

Can I claim compensation for a birth injury?

Potentially. Claims depend on the specific facts, evidence and whether negligent treatment caused injury to a mother or baby.

What should I do if I am concerned about maternity care?

Seek specialist legal advice as soon as possible so that your circumstances can be reviewed and relevant evidence preserved.

How can maternity negligence affect babies?

In some cases, negligent maternity care can result in serious injuries including brain damage, developmental delay, cerebral palsy or other lifelong conditions. Every case depends on its individual circumstances.