Government Investigation Into Maternity Services Includes Call for OUH Review.
Following the government’s announcement of an investigation into maternity care and neonatal services in England, families failed by OUH Maternity Services have called on the Health Secretary, Mr Wes Streeting, to ensure that Oxford University Hospitals are included in the review of the 10 most concerning units in the country.
Over 500 Oxfordshire families are supporting the campaign. For years there have been concerns about the safety of maternity services at OUH, which were rated as ‘requires improvement’ by the CQC in 2021.
Alarming Statistics Highlight Need for Maternity Investigation
The latest MMBRACE report shows that OUH has the highest stillbirth rate in the UK, at 3.6 stillbirths per 1,000 live births, as well as a worrying increase in neonatal deaths from the previous year’s MMBRACE report, rising to 2.65 per 1,000 live births. Concerned families have repeatedly highlighted key failings by the Trust such as a focus on ‘normal’ births, a failure to listen to women’s choices and delays in delivery.
These statistics underscore why a comprehensive maternity investigation is urgently needed at OUH maternity services. The data reveals concerning trends that demand immediate attention and systematic review to prevent further harm to families.
Two Decades of Supporting Families Affected by Maternity Care Failings
Our team of birth injury specialists have been representing families that have been harmed by poor maternity care at OUH for over 20 years.
CL Medilaw partner and birth injury specialist, Jenny Clendining, spoke to BBC Radio Oxford about the problems we see coming out of OUH maternity services and the sorts of cases that we support families in bringing against OUH. These include mothers not being listened to, delays in delivery, and issues with informed consent in particular relating to choice of where to give birth.
National Campaign Experience and Expertise
Our team has a history of being closely involved in campaigns led by families to push for local investigations and a national inquiry including The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (‘UHS’) which has been named by the Health Secretary as one of the most concerning maternity units in the country. Wes Streeting has confirmed that a number of our clients will have their individual cases reviewed.
Birth injury lawyer Laura Cook and a family from Sussex met with Donna Ockenden, the current chair of the Independent Review into Maternity Services at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, last year to discuss concerns in Sussex, and who has helped heighten attention on both local and national maternity concerns to the government.
Understanding Birth Injuries: What Families Need to Know
Birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families, often resulting from preventable medical errors during pregnancy, labour, or delivery. The patterns we see at OUH maternity services mirror concerning trends across the NHS, where inadequate monitoring, delayed interventions, and failure to listen to mothers’ concerns contribute to tragic outcomes.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can affect both mother and baby, ranging from temporary complications to permanent disabilities. These may include:
- Cerebral Palsy: Often caused by oxygen deprivation during birth
- Erb’s Palsy: Nerve damage affecting arm movement, typically from difficult deliveries
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): Brain injury from lack of oxygen
- Maternal Injuries: Including severe tears, infections, or complications from emergency procedures, and psychological harm
When Medical Negligence May Be Involved
Not all birth injuries constitute medical negligence, but certain warning signs may indicate substandard care:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress appropriately
- Delayed response to emergency situations
- Inadequate informed consent procedures
- Dismissing maternal concerns about pain or complications
- Inappropriate use of delivery instruments
The ongoing maternity investigation into services like OUH maternity will help identify systematic failures that contribute to these preventable injuries.
Seeking Answers and Compensation
The birth injury team at CL Medilaw acts for hundreds of families across England and Wales who have been concerned about the maternity care provided to them. Our team is dedicated to change in maternity care, justice for those families who have experienced unbearable loss as well as appropriate compensation for those families with harmed babies that require a lifetime of care and support.
How We Can Help
If you believe your family has been affected by poor maternity care at OUH maternity services, we provide:
- Free initial consultations to assess your case
- Expert medical evidence to support your claim
- Compassionate support throughout the legal process
- Maximum compensation to secure your child’s future care needs
Our experience with the current maternity investigation processes means we understand both the legal and emotional complexities families face when seeking accountability for birth injuries.
The Path Forward: Accountability and Change
The call for OUH maternity to be included in the national maternity investigation represents more than just seeking answers for past failures – it’s about preventing future tragedies. Families deserve transparency, accountability, and assurance that lessons will be learned and improvements implemented.
As the maternity investigation unfolds, our team remains committed to supporting affected families while pushing for the systematic changes needed to improve maternity care standards across the NHS.
Every family’s experience matters. If you’re concerned about the maternity care you or your loved one received at OUH, contact our specialist birth injury team today. We offer free initial consultations and work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you can focus on your family while we fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
To discuss your case, please arrange a no-obligation callback today.
Alternatively, our experienced team is available on 0345 241 0154 or by email at enquiries@clmedilaw.co.uk.
