A Fresh Wave of Heartbreaking Stories

The BBC reported on 18th June 2025 that a further 47 families have come forward to recount traumatic experiences at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTH) between 2017 and 2024. Their accounts echo those revealed in January when an investigation linked at least 56 baby deaths and two maternal deaths at the trust to potentially avoidable failures.

One of the latest voices is a mother whose son was stillborn after staff repeatedly dismissed her pleas to attend hospital despite her being classed as high risk. The trust's review found that earlier intervention "was likely to have made a difference to the outcome".

These parents join whistleblowers from within the service and campaigners across England in calling for an independent review, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, and ultimately, a national public inquiry into maternity safety.

Why These Revelations Matter

1. They demonstrate a pattern of systemic failings

2. Trust admissions strengthen potential claims - When a trust's investigators conclude that substandard care probably changed the outcome, families already hold a powerful piece of evidence.

3. Government proposals are still unclear - The Health Secretary has floated a "task force" and "restorative justice" model. Still, bereaved parents argue that only an independent, judge-led inquiry can deliver the transparency and learning that the NHS urgently needs.

Understanding Clinical Negligence in a Maternity Context

For a successful negligence claim, you must show that:

1. Duty of care — The NHS owes the mother and baby a reasonable standard of care (this is always present).

2. Breach — That standard fell below the level expected of a competent obstetric or midwifery professional.

3. Causation — On the balance of probabilities, the breach caused or materially contributed to the injury or loss (e.g., stillbirth, brain injury, maternal harm).

4. Loss — There are measurable damages: funeral costs, continued medical treatment, loss of earnings, lifelong care, psychological injury, etc.

Admissions in a case go a long way towards establishing breach and causation.

Practical Steps for Affected Parents

1. Keep a written timeline of events, symptoms, conversations and phone calls—contemporaneous notes carry real weight.

2. Engage with the trust's investigation but seek independent support; you are entitled to be accompanied to meetings.

3. Seek specialist legal advice—a medical negligence solicitor will:

   • Obtain your (and the baby's) complete medical records

   • Obtain expert opinions in obstetrics, midwifery, neonatology, psychiatry and other disciplines where necessary.

   • Calculate current and future financial losses, including therapy and childcare.

   • Navigate the NHS Resolution process or litigate where necessary.

How Our Clinical Negligence Team Can Help

We have acted for families nationwide in cases arising from:

• Failure to act on reduced foetal movements

• Misinterpretation of CTG traces

• Delayed Caesarean sections or inductions

• Inadequate monitoring of high-risk pregnancies

• Substandard neonatal resuscitation and aftercare

  
  

We operate a no-win-no-fee funding model where appropriate and aim to secure not only compensation but also answers apologies and system changes.

Final Thoughts

The tragedy unfolding in Leeds is sadly not an isolated incident; it is part of a wider pattern of unsafe maternity care that has surfaced in Shrewsbury and Telford, East Kent, Nottingham and elsewhere. While political solutions are debated, families facing the lifelong impact of an avoidable death or injury need answers and accountability now.

If you have concerns about the care you or your baby received at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (or any other trust), please reach out for a free, confidential consultation. Taking legal action is never easy, but it can be a decisive step toward justice, financial security and safer care for future parents. Don't hesitate to contact Graystons for advice and support at 0151 645 0055 or by email at enquiries@graystons.co.uk.