Maternity services have become a focal point for negligence claims and compensation payouts, surpassing all other hospital departments, a trend campaigners attribute to underfunding and overworked staff.
Amy Stead, 37, faced a near three-year journey to conceive, but the joy of childbirth turned into a nightmare when she suffered injuries that would affect her for life. During labour in 2019, a severe tear resulted in a permanent stoma, a condition missed until it was too late.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Ms. Stead revealed, “It turned out that I had a hole between my vagina and rectum, but it had been completely missed.” She attributed the oversight to her obstetrician’s haste, stating, “She was in such a rush to leave.”
Expressing regret over the rushed procedure, she added, “Had she taken more time and care over what she was doing… she may have seen it, and they could have put me to sleep and repaired it properly.”
Ms. Stead’s story gained attention after she spoke to Sky News, drawing focus to the issue of medical negligence in maternity care.
Statistics for England in 2022/2023 highlight maternity services accounting for 13% of clinical negligence claims, the highest among all departments. Last year, the NHS allocated £1.1 billion for maternity negligence payments, a stark figure when compared to the £3 billion budget for maternity services in England.
The case underscores broader concerns about the quality of care within maternity services and the profound impact of medical negligence on patients’ lives.
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