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Maternal Deaths: Coroner Advice Ignored?
19 Nov
Summary
- Coroner recommendations to prevent maternal deaths are not being systematically applied nationally.
- Haemorrhage and suicide are leading causes of maternal fatalities identified in reports.
- Only 38% of critical PFD reports received published responses from relevant organizations.
A concerning study from King's College London indicates that crucial recommendations made by coroners to prevent maternal deaths are not being consistently implemented across England and Wales. Researchers analyzed Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) reports, finding that identified care gaps are not systematically used to avert further tragedies. These PFDs arose from cases where mothers died, with haemorrhage and suicide cited as major causes.
The research highlighted frequent concerns regarding the failure to provide appropriate treatment and timely escalation of care. Lack of staff training was also a significant issue flagged in many reports. Worryingly, less than half of the PFDs received published responses from the organizations they were sent to, suggesting a lack of accountability.
While organizations that did respond reported implementing changes such as policy updates or increased training, the overall low response rate is a cause for concern. Experts stress that these insights should drive action to improve maternity care, ensuring the voices of mothers are heard and systemic issues are addressed to prevent future loss of life.
