Ombudsman warns of surge in maternity investigations

England's Health Ombudsman has warned that women and babies are being put at risk after a ‘worrying' rise in the number of investigations about maternity care.

© Alexander Grey/Unsplash

© Alexander Grey/Unsplash

In 2023/24 (1 April – 31 March) the PHSO investigated 87% more cases (28) about maternity care than the previous year (15). These are all cases which have already been investigated by the NHS and where they failed to address concerns. The ombudsman recently closed a case in which it found a catalogue of failings by a hospital led to the death of a baby girl who was stillborn in December 2018.

In the cases investigated issues identified included delays to treating infection and carrying out an MRI scan, failing to manage an epidural during a caesarean, and lack of consent for a procedure. Since April 2020, PHSO has carried out 80 detailed investigations related to failings in maternity care. Investigations concluded in 2023/24 account for more than a third of these.

During that time the number of investigations upheld or partly upheld has also increased.

Rebecca Hilsenrath, parliamentary and health service ombudsman, said: ‘There have been successive inquiries and reports into maternity care and no real evidence of change. We need to see lessons being learned. Our 2023 report found the safety and wellbeing of women is being put at risk due to the same mistakes being repeated.

‘We know that there are brilliant practitioners out there, but when maternity services fail, families are left with trauma and tragedy. The NHS needs to take steps to share good practice and change what isn't working.'

CQC
Four in 10 waiting too long for mental health care, CQC finds

Four in 10 waiting too long for mental health care, CQC finds

By Lee Peart 03 April 2025

Four in 10 people are waiting too long to access community mental health services, according to the CQC.

NHS dissatisfaction hits record levels

By Lee Peart 02 April 2025

NHS dissatisfaction levels have hit record levels with just one in five people (21%) content with services.

PAY

Delays to health workers' pay rise 'causing huge problems' for NHS

By Liz Wells 01 April 2025

Trade unions and organisations representing health workers have hit out after the government failed to deliver this year’s pay award on time.


Popular articles by Liz Wells