Robyn and Jonathan Davis of Steyning, West Sussex, are pursuing a compensation claim following the tragic death of their son, Orlando, just 14 days after his birth at Worthing Hospital in September 2021.
A recent coroner’s ruling attributed the baby’s death to brain damage worsened by medical neglect, specifically the failure to recognise Robyn’s rare condition, hyponatremia, during labour. The Davis family’s legal action comes amidst revelations that University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, encompassing Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has paid £143 million in claims and legal fees related to maternity negligence cases from 2006/7 to 2022/23, according to BBC News.
Dr. Tim Taylor, chief of service for the Women and Children’s Division, expressed condolences and acknowledged significant improvements in maternity care processes, including enhanced triage and increased midwifery staff.
Despite statistical improvements in maternal and neonatal outcomes, families affected by birth injury and medical negligence emphasise the profound personal toll. Sarah Hayes of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged the irreversible impact of such incidents on families. She said, “we recognise the immeasurable impact on families when mistakes are made. The impact of these outcomes can never be altered and for this we are truly sorry. We would always encourage any families who have any ongoing concerns to contact us.”
National Context and Political Responses
The national context reveals obstetric claims, while comprising only 13% of clinical claims reported in 2022/23, account for 64% of their total value. This disparity underscores ongoing concerns about birth negligence standards across NHS trusts.
Recent calls for reform in maternity care have highlighted systemic issues, prompting political pledges for enhanced training and cultural shifts within healthcare settings. NHS Resolution commits to fair and expedient handling of birth injury compensation claims, recognising each case’s unique circumstances.
Medical Negligence Reports
Do you have a client that has experienced something similar?
Here at UKExpertMedical, we appreciate how traumatic these cases can be. Our team will always act in the best interests of the client and solicitor to prepare medical negligence reports as quickly as possible, in order that the claim can progress to a prompt conclusion.
Whether you need assistance with medical negligence record in relation to birth injury, gp errors or other clinical negligence enquiries, please get in touch with us today.
