Our Maternity Care Team.

The Ockenden Review into maternity services at SaTH uncovered significant failings, leading to widespread concern and calls for systemic improvements. The investigation included as many as 1,600 cases, dating as far back as 2003.

Lanyon Bowdler has been at the forefront of supporting affected families, providing legal representation and advocating for accountability. Our tireless work supporting families through claims arising from the findings of the Donna Ockenden review has not only resulted in admissions of liability, apologies from the Trust and compensation awards being made: it has also given us invaluable experience and insight. We have been able to perfect our technical litigation skills, and learnt a great deal about the emotional toll bringing these claims can have on families and know how to provide support and ensure the process is as stress-free and stream-lined as possible.

We are proud of the results we have achieved for families to date and hope to continue to support as many as possible through this life-changing chapter.

In December 2023, Swansea Bay University Health Board commissioned an independent review of its maternity and neonatal services to maintain public confidence. This decision followed sustained service pressures and concerns regarding midwifery staffing levels. The review aims to analyse mortality figures and identify areas for improvement. However, by July 2024, the review faced criticism from affected families, with over 70 families expressing dissatisfaction and initiating their own inquiry, citing exclusion from the official process.

Maternity services at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital have been under scrutiny following a BBC Panorama investigation that revealed concerns about poor culture and staff shortages potentially leading to avoidable baby deaths. The BBC aired a documentary about the conditions of the maternity ward, calculating an average of maternal deaths equal to double the national figures between 2018 and 2022.

Subsequently, in January 2025, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the maternity provision at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital as ‘inadequate’ and mandated immediate improvements to ensure patient safety.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has faced significant scrutiny due to systemic failures in its maternity services.

In February 2025, the Trust had paid out over £100 million in compensation for the families. These incidents have led to a comprehensive independent review of maternity services at the Trust, led by Donna Ockenden, aiming to identify areas for improvement and ensure the safety of future patients. The independent review is investigating cases from April 2022 to May 2025, projected to be a few months before the release of a report, with the option to add significant cases between 2006 and 2012.

An independent investigation into maternity and neonatal services at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, led by Dr Bill Kirkup, revealed that between 2009 and 2020, numerous failures resulted in avoidable harm to mothers and babies. The October 2022 report concluded that the Trust failed to provide safe care and treatment, leading to preventable deaths and injuries in at least half of the 202 cases investigated. The investigation highlighted systemic issues, including poor clinical leadership and a culture that did not adequately address patient safety concerns. In response, the Trust has faced regulatory actions, and efforts are ongoing to implement the report’s recommendations to improve maternity services.

Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust has come under scrutiny following reports of substandard maternity care.

Concerns have been raised after the death of three women, as well as the occurrence of four life-threatening cases. Investigations have revealed instances where the quality of care did not meet expected standards, which has been blamed on the inconsistency of the leadership of the Trust.

Concerns have been raised regarding maternity services at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Reports have highlighted cases where inadequate care led to complications during childbirth. The cases in question were settled between 2019 and 2023, relating to incidents taking place some time before. Nine families in total have publicly asked for an inquiry into the death of babies, many of which have been ruled by coroners as being a direct result of neglect or negligence.

The Trust is undertaking comprehensive reviews of its maternity services to identify shortcomings and implement necessary changes to ensure patient safety and high-quality care.

Leicester Hospitals NHS Trust has faced criticism over its maternity services following reports of adverse incidents. Investigations are ongoing to assess the extent of the issues and to develop strategies for improvement. The Trust is committed to learning from past mistakes and is working towards enhancing the safety and effectiveness of its maternity care.​