Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Clinical Negligence Solicitors

Inquiry publishes findings on how to prevent neonatal deaths and injuries on maternity wards (28 June 2017)

Date: 28/06/2017
Duncan Lewis, Clinical Negligence Solicitors, Inquiry publishes findings on how to prevent neonatal deaths and injuries on maternity wards

The Each Baby Counts inquiry, led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), has published findings regarding neonatal deaths and injuries, having investigated over 700 recent instances.

The inquiry report also outlines how health services can prevent such deaths and injuries from happening in the future, with the report suggesting that three out of every four cases may have had a different outcome under the right care.




The report investigated 1,136 neonatal deaths and brain injuries, which could be broken down as follows:

  • 126 stillborn babies;
  • 156 babies dead within the first seven days following birth; and
  • 854 babies with severe brain injuries (it is not known how many will have significant long-term disability, however).

  • The investigation found that one reason for new-borns dying was to do with a failure to adequately monitor baby heart rates during labour.

    Other significant factors in these cases leading to deaths and injuries included problems with accurate assessments of foetal wellbeing during labour and consistent issues with staff understanding and processing complex situations.

    The inquiry report made the following recommendations:

  • All low-risk women should be assessed on admission in labour to establish what foetal monitoring is required;
  • Staff should receive annual training on interpreting baby heart-rate traces (CTGs);
  • A senior member of staff should always oversee the activity on the delivery suite; and
  • All trusts and health boards should inform the parents of any local review taking place and invite them to contribute.

  • Prof Zarko Alfirevic, co-principal investigator and consultant obstetrician at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, has urged “everyone working in maternity care to ensure the report’s recommendations are followed at all times.” Meanwhile, Janet Scott of the stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands have warmly welcomed the initiative but have also suggested urgent action was needed from trusts, health boards and governments across the UK.

    Rebecca Thomas, Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis Solicitors states:

    “The RCOG initiative ‘Each Baby Counts’ hopes to halve the number of babies who die during or shortly after delivery or who are born with a serious brain injury because of an incident during labour. This initiative is to be applauded and the Report suggests that the outcome may be different for many stillborn and brain injured babies if medical staff receives appropriate training and education.”

    The government launched the Maternity Safety Action Plan last year in 2016 to alter its approach to maternity safety, which includes £8m for training. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has stated: "While maternal and neonatal deaths are falling, together we need to do even more to make sure fewer families suffer the heartache of losing a baby - and this vital work will help."

    Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors

    The Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in a vast array of claims including wrongful death claims, birth injury claims, accident and emergency failures, GP negligence claims, misdiagnosed fractures and other medical conditions. They also act for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals.

    If you believe your doctor, nurse, or other medical professional has made a mistake and wish to claim compensation or have any questions about treatment you have received, please do not hesitate to contact our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.


    For all Clinical Negligence related matter contact us now.Contact Us

    Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
    Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.