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Richard Stanton’s baby died six hours after she was born and yesterday a review concluded mothers and babies had “died needlessly” at the hands of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH). The report called for “immediate action” across all maternity services to prevent more fatalities, stillbirths and babies suffering brain damage. The review by former senior midwife Donna Ockenden found families were dismissed when trying to raise concerns about poor care over decades.
It uncovered evidence of poor communication between staff and a culture of pushing women to avoid Caesarean sections without informing them of the risks.
Other serious problems included the inappropriate use of drugs to induce labour, putting babies at risk of brain damage. In some of the most horrific cases, botched forceps deliveries led to babies having their skulls crushed.
Ms Ockenden said care at the trust had “caused untold pain and distress, including, sadly, deaths of mothers and babies”. She said “one of the most disappointing and deeply worrying themes” was a lack of compassion among staff.
The report covers the first 250 families’ cases investigated by Ms Ockenden out of a total of 1,862 that are being examined.
In some cases mothers were blamed for the deaths of their babies, compounding their grief. Ms Ockenden said: “Many families have suffered long-term mental health problems. They say their suffering has been made worse by the handling of their cases.”
The review found at least 13 mothers died between 2000 and 2019 in the care of SaTH.
It did not say how many babies died but between 2013 and 2016 maternity unit death rates were 10 per cent higher than the norm.
The report identified 27 “local actions for learning” and seven “immediate and essential actions for all maternity services across England”.
It also paid tribute to parents, including Mr Stanton and his partner Rhiannon Davies, who started campaigning to expose the failings of the trust after their daughter, Kate, died in 2009.
Rhiannon, of Herefordshire, said: “There can be no more complacency. The time is now for significant deep-seated changes across maternity.”
Richard tweeted: “Where they have lied, we have exposed the truth. Where they have bullied, we have been dignified. When they have been in denial, we have exposed the facts. They should hang their heads in shame.”
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt commissioned the review in 2017.
He said: “This is a tragic day for families across Shropshire, who’ve had it confirmed in black and white that hundreds of babies died needlessly. There’s nothing more cruel in life than losing a child but to do so because of mistakes that were covered up makes things infinitely more painful.”
Louise Barnett, chief executive at SaTH, said she was “very sorry for the pain and distress caused to families” as she committed to implement the guidance in the report.
Dr Aidan Fowler, NHS patient safety director, said: “We are already implementing the national recommendations.
“But we recognise the need for further improvement and are committed to making sure all women and babies receive the safest care.”
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