Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations

We’re here when MNSI reaches out about your baby’s care

Being contacted by Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re still coming to terms with a birth injury. We’re here to help you understand exactly what this means, and what your options are to protect your family’s interests every step of the way.

Speak to an Expert

What is the MNSI programme?

The Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations programme took over the national maternity investigations role from HSIB in October 2023. If your baby suffered a severe brain injury diagnosed within their first seven days, or if your family experienced a stillbirth, early neonatal death, or a maternal death linked to pregnancy, an MNSI investigation may be opened. The programme won’t attribute blame, but the findings could make a real difference to a future claim.

Why speak to us before the MNSI

MNSI interviews don’t allow your own solicitor to be present, so many families choose to get independent advice beforehand. It’s also worth knowing that MNSI’s findings are later shared with NHS Resolution, who prepares the NHS’s own response to potential claims. We’re here to help you understand the process and feel supported along the way.

What happens during an MNSI review?

You’re asked for consent

MNSI must ask your permission before accessing your medical records or beginning an investigation.

Our support through the investigation

While the MNSI conducts their investigation, we can support you through the process and offer guidance and answer any questions that you have.

You receive a report

MNSI will share a draft report with you first, so you can check it’s accurate before it’s finalised.

We advise you on what’s next

Whatever MNSI concludes, our independent medical and legal experts may see things differently, and we’ll always tell you honestly where you stand.

Leading the conversation on birth injuries

Our specialist birth injury team is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK. We’ve represented families affected by maternity failures for over 20 years, including cases covered by national news.

Living her dream

Elan’s Story

After a failure to properly monitor her during labour left Elan with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and cerebral palsy, we secured an early interim payment to help her family adapt a new home, including a hydrotherapy pool, and put the right support and equipment in place. Elan is now working towards her dream of becoming a dressage Paralympian.

Frequently asked questions

This is entirely your choice, and there’s no wrong answer. It may help to know that MNSI’s report will be shared with NHS Resolution, to help them prepare the NHS’s response to a potential claim. This is why speaking to a birth injury solicitor first can help with what to expect during the process.

MNSI isn’t a compensation scheme, and can’t make any payments themselves. Whether you’re entitled to compensation is best answered by an independent specialist, since our view can sometimes differ from MNSI’s or NHS Resolution’s conclusions.

Most investigations take around six months, though some take longer. You don’t need to wait for the outcome before seeking legal advice and we can begin our own assessment of your case straight away.

That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no claim to pursue. Our independent medical and legal experts sometimes reach a different view, so it’s always worth talking to us, even if MNSI’s report seems to close the door.