Clinical & Medical Negligence Newsletter - Attwaters Jameson Hill - Spring 2018

04 | Spring 2018 Medical Negligence Newsletter NHS leaves one in four mothers alone during childbirth or labour NHS care watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, recently carried out in-depth research into the state of maternity care. The survey shows that a greater number of mothers are now reported as being satisfied with their maternity care. More were offered a choice of where to give birth and were more likely to see the same midwife during their antenatal care. However, childbirth campaigners point out that many women still do not receive the standard of care that was promised to them over a decade ago. Parenting charity, NCT, points out that 23 per cent of the 18,426 women surveyed had concerns about being left without a doctor or midwife during labour or birth, only slightly less than the figure reported in 2015. It has been NHS policy since 2010 that women should always have a midwife or doctor with them during labour and birth to provide advice, reassurance and practical help. However, pressure on staffing levels has meant that all too often, midwives can end up looking after several mothers giving birth simultaneously. In 2017, NCT carried out research that showed that at least half of all births involved at least one “red flag” incident, a lapse in safety that could pose a threat to the health of the mother, baby or both. Call us today on 0203 871 9258, we will happily answer questions