Why policy reform and compensation are crucial to improving maternity care and protecting families across Yorkshire - John Kushnick

Earlier this month, a landmark review of the NHS highlighted serious concerns about the declining quality of maternity services, with too many women, babies, and families being adversely affected. These pressures are particularly acute in Yorkshire, where significant strain on local hospitals and staffing shortages have led to repeated closures of labour wards.

This local crisis reflects broader national issues that demand urgent attention. With maternity services stretched to their limits, the safety of mothers and newborns is at risk. To address these challenges, policymakers must implement urgent systemic reforms that prioritise better care and ensure families affected by failures receive the compensation and support they deserve.

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The pressures facing maternity services across the UK are immense. Chronic staff shortages, outdated infrastructure, and growing demand are leading to situations where the quality of care could be compromised. With over 150,000 care worker vacancies needing to be filled, these shortages have exacerbated the challenges facing the healthcare system. In Yorkshire alone, the labour wards at York and Scarborough Hospitals were closed to new patients 26 times between June 2023 and June 2024. This has also led to early discharges, raising concerns that sending mothers home too soon after childbirth may contribute to neonatal deaths. In one such case, a newborn tragically died after her mother was sent home just hours after an exhausting induced labour – a situation that may have been avoided if the mother had been allowed to rest and recover in hospital.

Maternity care errors must be taken seriously because they occur at the very start of life, and when not fatal, potentially lead to lifelong care needs for the child. Unlike other medical negligence cases where claimants are older and affected for a shorter period, the long-term impact on newborns means care requirements evolve as the child grows, making an already challenging time far more difficult for families.

A mother holds the hand of a new baby. PIC: Dominic Lipinski/PA WireA mother holds the hand of a new baby. PIC: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
A mother holds the hand of a new baby. PIC: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Improving maternity care must be an urgent priority to prevent further tragedies. Data from NHS Resolution shows that clinical negligence costs to the NHS rose to £2.8bn in 2023-24, a 6 per cent increase from the previous year. Additionally, 41 per cent of the NHS’s total payouts – amounting to £1.15bn – were related to maternity care, a staggering figure underscoring the urgent need for systemic improvements.

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Investments in staff training, measures to boost recruitment for healthcare professionals, and ensuring that hospitals have the infrastructure needed to cope with demand are key steps in preventing avoidable mistakes. Such reforms would reduce the financial burden on the NHS while protecting families from life-changing harm.

While improving maternity care is a priority, we must not overlook the critical role that fair compensation plays in addressing the aftermath of medical failures. Families affected by negligence need comprehensive support. Compensation is not just financial restitution – it ensures that families receive the support they need to rebuild their lives after medical negligence. It plays a vital role in holding the healthcare system accountable. When mistakes are made, patients deserve assurance that their suffering will lead to changes in the system to prevent others from experiencing the same harm.

The crisis in maternity services is a national issue that requires immediate attention.

John Kushnick is legal operations director at National Accident Helpline.

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