Aiming for Improvement in Maternity Services in England
There is a nationwide focus on failings in maternity services. Are there signs that things are starting to improve?
What's been going wrong?
Over the past few years, the reputation of maternity services in England seems to have taken a bit of a battering.
- In the spring of 2022 The Independent Review of Maternity Services at Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals argued that 'systemic change is needed locally and nationally', identifying 15 'immediate and essential actions' for all maternity services in England, as well as more than 60 specific local actions for learning'.
- Later in the year the investigation into maternity services in East Kent also identified widespread failings which it linked to failures of 'team-working, professionalism, compassion and listening' and criticising 'how statistics are used to manage maternity services across the country as a whole.'
- A further review of maternity services, this time in Nottinghamshire is currently under way, with its findings due to be published in September 2025.
Signs of improvement
Are there now signs that lessons are being learnt?
In 2022, the government announced a 'boost' of £127million to increase staffing levels within maternity and neonatal services, improve organisational culture and increase the number of neo-natal cots.
Last year, the NHS published its 'Three year delivery plan for maternity services and neonatal services', focusing on the following areas:
- Listening to and working with women and families with compassion
- Growing, retaining and supporting our workforce
- Developing and sustaining a culture of safety, learning and support
- Standards and structures that underpin safer, more personalised, and more equitable care
In this year's spring budget, the government has announced a further £35million investment to fund 'specialist training for staff and additional midwives to improve maternity services.'
Birth trauma as an on-going issue
A parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma, looking to identify factors which contribute to birth trauma as well as examples of good practice, is currently on-going and is due to publish its findings later this month.
Birth trauma continues to be a significant problem. According to the Birth Trauma Association between 25,000 and 30,000 women experience PTSD after birth in the UK.
Around 5% of women who give birth vaginally suffer a severe, 3rd or 4th degree tear, which, without prompt and competent medical care, can cause a new mother to suffer a lifetime of bowel problems.
When to claim compensation
If a significant failing in maternity care, such as a failure of diagnosis or surgery, has left you struggling with the appalling symptoms of bowel incontinence, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. A successful claim should address the consequences of the negligence such as a loss of income, if your symptoms have affected your earning capacity.
Speak to a specialist solicitor at the earliest possible moment. Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in birth tear claims.
Contact us today to talk with a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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