Leeds maternity concerns: Bereaved families and lawyers offer support as many more cases come to light

In 2024, the Leeds Hospital Maternity Family Support Group was formed with the aim of campaigning for maternity safety improvements at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust. The support group was set up in response to an investigation into the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital, which found that their deaths may have been preventable.  

Founding members of the support group, Fiona Winser-Ramm and Dan Ramm, whose daughter died just minutes after her birth in 2020, have expressed concerns about maternity care and are unsurprised at the overwhelming number of families that have been affected. It is reported that around 180 people have expressed interest in joining the support group.   

The group was founded following concerns by two whistleblowers, working in maternity services at LTH, who reported that the maternity units were unsafe. Families are calling for an independent review into LTH Trust to ensure that other families do not have the same experience, and to ensure issues are identified and lessons learned.  

A Freedom of Information request by the BBC revealed that there were at least 56 potentially preventable baby deaths relating to 27 stillbirths and 29 neonatal deaths between January 2019 and July 2024.  

This troubling revelation was unfortunately not surprising for Leigh Day’s medical negligence team, who are representing several families affected by poor care in Leeds. 

 The impact on our clients was huge, underscoring the need for systemic change and accountability to address alleged failings and improve outcomes for families.  

Maternity services at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’ University Hospital were inspected by the CQC recently, in response to concerns raised by families. The findings from the inspection are expected to be published shortly.  

Bereaved families are also calling for an independent, judge-led public inquiry to help improve maternity safety across England. As longstanding advocates for patient safety, who have been calling for urgent change in maternity care for almost a decade, Leigh Day stands in solidarity with everyone affected.  

Matthew Westlake, senior associate based in our Leeds office, said:  

“The overwhelming number of people seeking peer support from the Leeds Hospital Maternity Family Support Group is a clear sign that not enough is being done to support families and improve maternity services within the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.  

“Families must be listened to, and systemic change is required to ensure the safety of everyone going through pregnancy and childbirth in Leeds.”  

Helen Stanley, registered midwife and head of medical negligence triage team, said:  

“As a midwife I am becoming increasingly worried about how many women and birthing people were apparently not receiving the comprehensive and individualised maternity care they needed which was essential to their health and the wellbeing of their baby during that vulnerable time.” 

If you have concerns about the maternity care you have received, contact the Leigh Day medical negligence team.