Medical Negligence Lawyers Representing Families Affected By Care Failings At Leeds General Infirmary And St James’s Say It’s “Vital” Families With Concerns Are Supported

Specialist lawyers representing families affected by maternity care failings in Leeds have revealed their concern over reports that the deaths of more than 50 babies and mums at a NHS Trust may have been preventable.

An investigation published today by the BBC raised concerns over the care of at least 56 babies and two mums at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital over the last five years.

Medical negligence lawyers supporting families affected by Leeds maternity care failings

Expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are representing a number of families who were all under the care of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust when issues in their maternity care arose. They include the deaths of babies and serious birth injuries.

Katie Warner is a specialist maternity safety lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office representing families affected by care issues.

Expert Opinion

“These latest reports into maternity safety in Leeds are not only deeply concerning but sadly also reflect issues we too often see in supporting families.

“Each client we represent isn’t a statistic but a human story of how families have been left devastated by maternity issues and are often left needing not only answers but access to specialist support.

“While we recognise maternity services in Leeds have been rated as a good by the Care Quality Commission, our clients remain concerned about the actual care families are receiving.

“They believe while paperwork is in place, these “tick boxes” for when inspectors visit and care on the ground is different. Our families’ concerns include staff communication with families and not listening to mums’ concerns.

“All the families want is to ensure is that, where appropriate, no stone is left unturned in ensuring effective and lasting change is introduced to uphold patient safety for families.

“It’s likely that other families may be shocked and upset at this latest report. Therefore, it’s vital that others with concerns about their maternity are receive the care and support they may need at this distressing time.” Katie Warner

Leeds maternity care concerns

Between January 2019 and July 2024, 27 stillbirths and 29 neo-natal deaths -  a death within 28 days of birth – which may have been preventable were identified, according to the BBC. The data was obtained followed Freedom of Information Act requests.

It was based on Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust-led reviews which  had identified care issues it considered may have made a difference to the outcome for babies. The reviews also regularly included people who did not work for the Trust.

Two possible preventable maternal deaths were also recorded in the same period following reviews.

Separate data also showed that Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust had the  highest neo-natal mortality rate in the UK of 4.46 per 1,000 live births in 2022. This is based on data from the latest report by MBRRACE-UK - which reviews stillbirths and neonatal deaths but does not analyse if any of these are potentially preventable.

BBC analysis of the data, which was made public last July, showed and this was an increase from 3.30 per 1,000 live births in 2017.

The LTH 2022 figure is 70% higher than the average rate for comparable NHS trusts.

In response to the BBC’s findings the Hospital Trust said the vast majority of births at Leeds were safe, and deaths of mums and babies were very rare.

It added that Leeds cares for a higher volume of babies with complex conditions as it is one of a "handful of specialist centres" in the UK.

How our medical negligence experts can help 

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting families affected by maternity care issues at our dedicated birth injuries section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.