Recent reports reveal a harrowing story from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, where at least 56 babies and two mothers have tragically lost their lives over the past five years.

Families are now raising serious concerns, questioning whether many of these deaths could have been avoided with better care and timely intervention.

Despite the trust’s maternity units, including Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital, receiving a ‘good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), troubling stories of negligence are emerging.

Escalating Neonatal Mortality Rates Raise Alarm

The latest figures paint a grim picture for the trust’s neonatal mortality rate, which is the highest in the UK.

In 2022, Leeds had a neonatal mortality rate of 4.46 per 1,000 live births, a staggering 70% higher than the average rate for comparable NHS trusts.

This rise in neonatal deaths over the past five years has drawn sharp criticism from both grieving families and health experts.

The situation has left many questioning the quality of care being provided, especially in light of the trust’s positive regulatory ratings.

Whistleblowers and Bereaved Families Speak Out

Whistleblowers from within the hospital have begun sharing their distressing experiences, revealing a culture of under-staffing and neglect in some areas.

One former maternity support worker, Lisa Elliott, spoke out about the unsafe care she witnessed, describing the situation as “appalling.”

She believes that many of the deaths could have been avoided if the staff had been more attentive to patients’ concerns.

For some families, the emotional toll is made worse by the fact that the former CEO of the trust, Sir Julian Hartley, now heads the very body responsible for overseeing NHS hospitals, the CQC.

The Heartbreaking Story of Dan and Fiona Ramm

One case that has garnered significant attention is the tragic death of Dan and Fiona Ramm’s baby, Aliona Grace, who died just 27 minutes after birth at Leeds General Infirmary in January 2020.

The couple’s grief has been compounded by their belief that delays in care and the failure to act on warning signs contributed to their baby’s death.

They have expressed frustration at the hospital’s lack of accountability, especially since safety concerns were raised as early as 2020, but no significant changes appear to have been made.

Allegations of Racial Discrimination and Neglect in Care

Another family, Amarjit Kaur and Mandip Singh Matharoo, shared their tragic experience involving their stillborn daughter, Asees, in early 2024.

Amarjit, who was 32 weeks pregnant, sought medical help for severe abdominal pain but was repeatedly dismissed and sent home, despite her distress.

It was only later, after undergoing emergency surgery, that a blood clot was discovered, and their baby had already passed away.

Amarjit also voiced concerns about racial discrimination, believing that her care was compromised because of her ethnicity.

Whistleblowers and Staff Challenges at Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Multiple whistleblowers have come forward, revealing alarming details about the chronic understaffing and lack of resources that have contributed to unsafe conditions at Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

According to one anonymous clinical staff member, women and babies are often not receiving the level of care they desperately need.

The trust has acknowledged the issues, but many families and healthcare professionals continue to demand a thorough and independent investigation into the practices at Leeds.

A Call for Accountability and Reform

As families continue to grieve and call for action, they are pushing for an independent review of the maternity services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, with an emphasis on learning from past mistakes.

They are also advocating for a wider public inquiry into maternity safety across England, seeking improvements in care standards across the board.

While the CQC has promised oversight and inspections, many feel that the responses so far have been insufficient to address the deep-rooted issues at the trust.

In the face of these mounting concerns, the need for comprehensive reform in the NHS maternity services has never been clearer.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn