Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Clinical Negligence Solicitors

Largest NHS Maternity Scandal (20 November 2019)

Date: 20/11/2019
Duncan Lewis, Clinical Negligence Solicitors, Largest NHS Maternity Scandal

In a report leaked to The Independent, it emerged that dozens of mothers and babies died due to serious failings at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. The failings at the Trust date back 40 years, resulting in mothers and babies suffering from preventable death.

The failings at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust are being described as the largest maternity scandal in NHS history.

The cases in this maternity scandal include, 50 children deprived of oxygen during birth resulting in them being left with permanent brain damage or cerebral palsy, 22 stillbirths, three deaths during pregnancy, 17 deaths of babies following delivery, three deaths of mothers and 47 cases of insufficient care.

An interim report, written by Ms Ockenden for NHS Improvement and the Trust shows that babies delivered at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust were born brain damaged due to medical staff failing to recognise babies being in distress and labour going wrong and failing to monitor babies’ heartbeats adequately.

Babies were also left brain-damaged from group B strep or meningitis that can usually be treated by antibiotics.

Staff members regularly dismissed parents' worries, were unkind, got deceased babies' names wrong and, in one case, referred to a baby who had sadly passed away as "it".

The report revealed that staff members did not share learning, resulting in repeated mistakes being made and serious clinical failures.

The scandal shows the systemic problems within some NHS Maternity departments and how serious changes need to be made to avoid such tragedies.


Author Saniya Taqi is a trainee solicitor in the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence department at Duncan Lewis Solicitors and works under the supervision of Director, Rebecca Thomas.

To contact Saniya, please call 020 3114 1168 or email saniyat@duncanlewis.com


Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors

Our Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in a vast array of claims. Varying from A&E failures to GP negligence claims, to misdiagnosed cancer to wrongful death claims.

Our solicitors act for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals.

If you have any queries relating to Clinical Negligence or think that you may have a claim, please do not hesitate to contact our team of expert solicitors on 033 3772 0409.



For all Clinical Negligence related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.