Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has announced that an independent inquiry into “repeated failures” at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTH) will take place, following potentially avoidable harm to babies and mothers.
Understanding what has “gone so catastrophically wrong”
The announcement follows an investigation by the BBC earlier this year, which revealed that the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers at LTH over the past five years may have been preventable.
The BBC has now spoken to over 70 families who have described traumatic care.
A group of bereaved families wrote to Mr Streeting to call for an independent inquiry following the coverage by the BBC.
Those families were later invited to share their experiences with Mr Streeting in person before the inquiry was announced.
Mr Streeting said that a thorough investigation was required to understand what had “gone so catastrophically wrong” at LTH’s maternity units, both at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital.
A vital inquiry – seeking to learn the truth
Mr Streeting said that he was “shocked” by the stories he had heard from bereaved families of “repeated maternity failures” that were “made worse by the unacceptable response of the trust”.
He was clear that the inquiry was hoped to help families to learn the truth about what went wrong in their care.
Indeed, he said:
“I do think there is an exceptional case in Leeds to have a Nottingham-style independent inquiry into the failures.”
This relates to the ongoing public inquiry into maternity service failings at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which is examining some 2,500 cases of maternity failings.
The Department of Health has not revealed the scope or terms of the inquiry, nor who will lead it. However, bereaved families want Donna Ockenden, the senior midwife leading the Nottingham review, to chair the Leeds inquiry.
Understanding experiences to drive lasting improvements
In June, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) downgraded both of LTH’s maternity units to “inadequate” after unannounced inspections raised concerns that women and babies were “at risk of avoidable harm”.
LTH’s maternity units are also currently part of the national rapid review into maternity and neonatal services across England, which was launched in June.
Chief Executive at LTH said:
“We are determined to do better. We want to work with the families who have used our services to understand their experiences so that we can make real and lasting improvements.
“I would also like to reassure families in Leeds who will be using our services currently, that we are already taking significant steps to address improvements to our maternity and neonatal services, following reviews by the CQC and NHS England.”
Comment
The announcement of an independent inquiry into maternity failings at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is a vital and long-overdue step toward truth, accountability, and healing for the families affected. For those who have experienced trauma or loss due to avoidable harm in maternity care, this news may bring a mix of emotions—hope, anger, and sorrow.
As clinical negligence solicitors, we hear firsthand the devastating impact that substandard maternity care can have—not just on mothers and babies, but on entire families. The scale of the failings reported in Leeds, echoing similar tragedies in Nottingham and elsewhere, is deeply concerning. It reflects a wider maternity crisis in this country that must be addressed with urgency and compassion.
We welcome the inquiry’s focus on listening to bereaved families and understanding what went so catastrophically wrong. It is only through honest reflection and systemic change that we can ensure safer maternity services for all. For those affected, this inquiry may be a crucial opportunity to have their voices heard and their experiences validated.
If you or a loved one has concerns about maternity care received at Leeds or elsewhere, we are here to support you. You are not alone, and your story matters.
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Danielle Young is a Partner in our Medical Negligence team, which has been ranked in tier one by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500. She specialises in pregnancy and birth injury claims (including cerebral palsy), brain injury claims, fatal claims, surgical error claims, and cauda equina injury claims.
If you have any questions in relation to the subjects discussed in this article, then please get in touch with Danielle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
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