Shropshire trust ‘ignored’ maternity scandal families

A senior midwife has said that Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH) has ignored families affected by failures that contributed to the deaths of more than 200 babies and left many more with significant brain damage.

Donna Ockenden led an inquiry into the maternity scandal at the trust two years ago, and said that learning that families had not been contacted by the trust since was “sad and appalling”.

Ms Ockenden’s report revealed that had it not been for catastrophic failings at the trust, at least 201 babies and nine mothers might have survived had they received better care.

Some of the children caught up in the failures have lifelong health needs, but parents were now “frightened” to go back to their local hospitals because of their fears.

Ms Ockenden said “It was the trust’s job to engage with these harmed families, you know, 1,500 families, but now this relationship building, this building of trust will have to be done with me acting as a bridge between families and the trust.”

Louise Barnett, chief executive of the trust, said “We have been working hard to ensure services are safe for our communities, but in doing so we recognise we haven’t engaged with many families who want to hear directly from us.  For this we are truly sorry.

“We have been, and are, working to understand how best to engage with families who want to directly hear from us, whilst respecting the wishes of those who do not.

“We will listen and learn how best we can support those who we have harmed.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors and birth injury solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, including cerebral palsy claims and other birth injury claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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