18
Mar 2020
Twenty deaths or serious harm cases in maternity linked to North Devon Healthcare NHS Trust since 2008
An independent review into midwifery at North Devon District Hospital in 2017, not released at the time, raised “serious questions” about maternity care.
An earlier review in 2013 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) investigated eleven serious clinical incidents at the unit, dating back to 2008. The report identified failings in the working relationships at the unit, finding some senior doctors failed to provide guidance to junior colleagues and some midwives were working autonomously.
Despite the problems identified during the earlier review, the subsequent investigation in 2017 expressed concerns with the “decision-making and clinical competency” of senior doctors and their cooperation with midwives.
The 2017 RCOG report said it had been called to the trust following four “serious incidents”, three of which concerned the investigators, the report adding that one incident “raised very serious questions regarding appropriate decision-making and clinical competency”.
The report found that some senior doctors at the unit appeared to be “deskilled” and “demotivated”, describing midwives as “advocates for women” and attempting to ensure “safety within this maternity unit”.
It concluded by saying “There is a definite breakdown in relationships between medical and midwifery staff within the unit.”
Professor Adrian Harris, medical director of the trust, who took over the unit in 2018, said sweeping changes on the ward since the report had been published meant “progress” had been made, including having enacted all eleven reforms recommended by the RCOG in 2017.
Professor Harris said “We look at a completely different unit today from the boardroom right down to the shop floor. My message is one of regret and apology on behalf of the unit.”
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 the 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.
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