Concerns Grow Over Maternity Care At Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

The BBC has this week reported that several more families have come forward to them with concerns about inadequate maternity care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust between 2017 and 2024.

Over the past several years, serious concerns have emerged about the standard of maternity care provided by LTH.

Between 2017 and 2024, 47 new families have come forward to the BBC, sharing heartbreaking stories of babies who died or were injured, and mothers who suffered trauma due to what they describe as inadequate care.

What families are saying

Many of these families say they felt ignored when they raised concerns during pregnancy or labour.

Some mothers described being left in pain or distress, while others said their babies’ movements had slowed or stopped, but they were not taken seriously. Tragically, some of these cases ended in stillbirths or neonatal deaths.

One mother, Tassie, shared her devastating experience of losing her son, Baxter. Despite reporting reduced fetal movements, she was not given the care she needed. Her case was later graded “D” – the lowest possible rating – by the Trust’s own review team.

Another couple, Heidi Mayman and Dale Morton, lost their daughter Lyla just four days after birth. They believe their concerns were not acted upon quickly enough, and an external investigation found multiple failures in the care provided.

Whistleblowers speak out

In addition to the families, five whistleblowers – including senior staff – have raised alarms about the culture within LTH’s maternity units at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’ University Hospital. They describe a workplace where staff are afraid to speak up, and where concerns are often ignored or “swept under the carpet.”

One staff member said that poor staffing levels had led to “near misses” and even a baby’s death that could have been prevented.

A troubling pattern

Through a Freedom of Information request, it was revealed that 107 clinical negligence claims related to obstetric care were made against LTH between April 2015 and April 2024. These included 14 stillbirths and 13 deaths involving mothers or babies. Over £71 million was paid out in compensation during this period.

A review by the Trust found that 27 stillbirths and 29 neonatal deaths between 2019 and mid-2024 – plus two maternal deaths – may have been preventable.

Calls for accountability and change

So far, 67 families have come forward to the BBC, all calling for an independent review of maternity services at LTH. Some have asked for senior midwife Donna Ockenden – who led a major review into maternity failings in Shrewsbury and Telford – to lead the investigation.

There are also growing calls for a national inquiry into maternity safety across England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has met with bereaved families and is reportedly considering such a move, though he has also proposed alternative plans to improve safety.

What the Trust and NHS are doing

In response to the concerns, LTH has apologised and acknowledged the need for improvement. The Trust says it is investing in staffing, promoting a culture of openness and compassion, and has commissioned an independent review of its neonatal services.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out unannounced inspections in late 2024 and early 2025 and has taken enforcement action to ensure safe staffing levels. NHS England has also placed LTH under its Maternity Safety Support Programme, which helps trusts with serious safety concerns.

Comment

These worrying concerns regarding maternity care at LTH are another example of major systemic issues within maternity care in the UK.

It is little wonder that the families impacted are calling for a formal investigation into what is going on at LTH. With so many unanswered questions, a full and frank investigation and response from the Trust is the very least these families deserve.