NHS England to conduct independent review into East Kent baby deaths trust

NHS England have announced an independent review which is to take place into maternity services at the East Kent NHS Trust following the deaths of 15 babies there in recent years.

Earlier this week, the trust’s chief executive said that there had been “six or seven” avoidable deaths at two hospitals in Margate and Ashford since 2011. However, a board meeting has since heard that there had been a possible 15 deaths.

Nadine Dorries, minister for patient safety, has pledged immediate action and said NHS England would investigate the two hospitals. Speaking in the House of Commons, she said “NHS England and NHS Improvements are commissioning themselves an independent review into East Kent maternity services.”

Ms Dorries went on to say that the trust was having issues with “ensuring the right staff with the right skills in the right place.” She added that doctors and midwives working clearly together was a problem, together with leadership and communication support.

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield said women in her constituency were “terrified” about using maternity services, adding “There are so many questions from my constituents, dozens of whom are now really terrified about their future pregnancies and having babies in the area.”

The independent clinical support team looking into the trust includes two consultant obstetricians, a director of midwifery services from a CQC-rated outstanding trust, and a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist.

Ms Dorries said that the best had been placed “at the heart of the trust – on the wards, at the bedside of patients.”

A spokesperson for East Kent Hospitals said “Around 7,000 women give birth under our care each year, and one death that could be prevented is one too many. We will not rest until we are delivering an outstanding maternity service that has the full confidence of all families in east Kent.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 738