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Leeds Hospital Maternity Care Sparks Inquiry
11 Mar
Summary
- Mother suffered untreated third-degree tear post-birth.
- Inquiry to investigate Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
- At least 56 babies and two mothers died possibly avoidably.
An independent inquiry has been commissioned into Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the nation's largest healthcare providers, following widespread allegations of substandard maternity care. Donna Ockenden, who previously led significant maternity inquiries, will chair this new probe. The investigation is expected to scrutinize cases from January 1, 2011, to December 1, 2025.
This decision comes after a BBC investigation revealed that at least 56 babies and two mothers may have died due to preventable causes in the preceding five years. Families have been campaigning for months for a thorough investigation into the trust's practices.
Rachel Cooper, a mother from Leeds, shared her distressing experience of being discharged with an untreated third-degree tear in April 2018. The tear became infected, leading to surgery eight days after giving birth and resulting in lasting physical and mental health impacts. Cooper expressed hope for openness and transparency from the trust during the inquiry.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has issued an apology to Rachel Cooper, acknowledging the failings in her care and stating that an action plan was developed to address these issues. However, they recognized this does not alleviate her suffering.
