The investigation found the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers over the past five years may been preventable and shared data showing Leeds had the highest neonatal mortality rate in the UK.

Professor Phil Wood, chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals, apologised to the women and families who described negative experiences to the BBC but added the number of neonatal deaths recorded as ‘potentially avoidable' by the trust was ‘very small',  and was ‘in line with national rates'.

Prof Wood added it was ‘misleading' to say without context that Leeds Teaching Hospitals had the highest neonatal mortality rate in the country.

The chief executive said the trust cared for a higher volume of babies with complex conditions pointing to an independent review of its data which showed neonatal mortality rates were within the expected range when compared with a smaller group of specialist services. In addition, Prof Wood highlighted the increasing number of babies born with complex conditions in the Leeds and Yorkshire region.

The trust's maternity services are rated good by the CQC. The regulator said the findings of an inspection of Leeds General Infirmary and St James' University Hospital in December 2024 in response to concerns raised by families and risks identified through ongoing would be published shortly.

Chris Dzikiti, CQC's interim chief inspector of healthcare, said: ‘It is vital that people have access to good standards of care, that the public has accurate, timely and clear information about local services, and that providers are quickly alerted to any areas for action. Ensuring all of those factors is imperative and we are currently looking at how we can further strengthen our operational effectiveness and oversight.'