Survey finds help during childbirth has declined

A report by health and care regulator the Care Quality Commission has warned that women’s experiences of care when giving birth has worsened in the last five years.

 

A survey of 20,000 women found “a concerning decline” in getting help when most needed during labour and after childbirth.

 

An analysis by the BBC recently showed that more than 50 per cent of maternity units in England consistently fail to meet safety standards, with 48 per cent requiring improvement and 7 per cent posing a high risk of avoidable harm.

 

A report from March 2022 into one hospital trust found that more than 200 babies might have survived if they had received better maternity care.

 

Victoria Vallance, director of secondary and specialist care at the CQC, said of the survey results “These results show that far too many women feel their care could have been better”.  She added that it was vital for staff at individual trusts to understand what makes a good experience and what needs to improve.

 

Areas highlighted for improvement include pregnant women’s concerns being taken more seriously during labour, more women being given advice and support at the start of their labour, and explanations of the care they need in hospital.

 

Angela McConville, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust said “Maternity services in England are categorically falling short of women’s expectations.  This is not all the impact of the Covid pandemic, but is directly associated with long-term underinvestment in the staffing of maternity services.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record.  The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence.  He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims.  Tony also acts as a Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled.  Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.  Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win, no fee solicitors for free legal advice on Freephone 0800 304 7382