Variation in hospital birth care in England ‘concerning’

A review by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has found a “substantial variation” in maternity unit practice, and has suggested that not all women are receiving the best possible care.

The review, which was carried out with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, looked at over 550,000 births in the year 2013 to 2014, and highlighted different rates of instrumental deliveries, episiotomies, and emergency caesarean sections.

In some units, just under 20% of first time mothers needed instrumental help with their delivery and in some units this rose to almost 30%, women who needed an episiotomy ranged from 29% to 44%, and the number of mothers needing emergency caesarean sections varied from 8% to 15%.

Dr David Richmond, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said “We are concerned about the amount of variation identified in this report.

“Although the exact causes are difficult to establish, it is paramount that maternity units have information about their services, as well as the ability to compare themselves to the national average and to their peers.”

The National Childbirth Trusts Elizabeth Duff, said “Pregnant women should not have to endure a postcode lottery, and it is unacceptable these variations in maternity care are reported year after year.

“We urge NHS trusts to use this data to examine their practices and ensure the best possible outcomes for mothers and babies.”

Health minister Ben Bummer, said “Mothers and their babies deserve the very highest standards of care regardless of where they live.

“The NHS is already a safe place to give birth and by being open and honest about variations in care, RCOG’s report will help the NHS to improve.”

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 the freephone number below.

Freephone: 0800 028 2969

For further information, please see our cerebral palsy and birth injury website:

http://www.cerebralpalsyclaimssolicitors.co.uk

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of 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.