Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust Maternity Unit
Published: March 15th, 2022
7 min read
We reported in December 2019 about the failings of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust Maternity Unit. This was after a significantly high number of baby death, including stillbirths, deaths of mothers, babies left with brain damage, babies dying within 3 months of birth and deaths during pregnancy. 1800 cases were investigated.
Ironically, the original report looks at the lack of communication between staff and patients and criticises the slow disclosure of records that were needed to investigate. The investigation was ordered in May 2017, and 5 years later it is still not available.
An interim report in December 2020 highlighted a failure to investigate when something went wrong, or when the investigation was carried out, it tended to be done internally and the family were not part of it. This reduces the learning process for the hospital and is contrary to the duty of candour and best interests of the patient.
It prioritised low caesarean birth above the interest of patients. The majority of negligent birth cases investigated at Forbes arise from a failure to provide a caesarean section in a timely manner. The report was due to be published on 22.03.2022 but has not happened due to the parliamentary process.
We eagerly await the largest review of maternity care in the NHS and sympathise with the families, many of whom want answers to questions to assist with closure and to acknowledge their plight. This distress has been covered heavily in the news in the following articles:
Shropshire baby deaths: Ockenden report delayed for second time - BBC News
Families 'frustrated' at delay in publication of maternity scandal report | NHS | The Guardian
Many of our instructions arise when the clients feel let down by the processes that ought to assist them when they raise concerns. If you have a problem please contact the clinical negligence team.
For further information please contact Leonie Millard