Dozens of Parents Call for National Inquiry into Maternity Care Failings

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1151 EAT on Wednesday 18 June 2025

Tassie Weaver’s experience sounds incredibly painful and traumatic. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find more information on her specific situation. However, I can provide some general information on stillbirth and resources that might be helpful.

In Tasmania, Australia, where Tassie Weaver might be referring to, stillbirths are registered with Births, Deaths, and Marriages. Parents can register a stillbirth and obtain a certificate. There are also support services and counseling available for families who experience stillbirth or perinatal loss.

Tassie Weaver’s experience with stillbirth highlights potential issues in her care. Despite being considered high-risk due to high blood pressure and concerns about the baby’s growth, she was advised to stay home by a midwife when she called to report going into labor. This advice may have contributed to delays in receiving necessary medical attention.

Tassie Weaver’s experience with stillbirth at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) highlights potential issues in her care. Despite being considered high-risk due to high blood pressure and concerns about the baby’s growth, she received delayed medical attention.

The concerns about inadequate maternity care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust between 2017 and 2024 are part of a larger issue in the UK.

Families have reported experiencing substandard care, resulting in baby deaths, injuries, and maternal trauma. This situation echoes findings from other investigations into maternity care across England.

In response to these concerns, the Maternity Safety Alliance (MSA) has requested a statutory public inquiry into maternity safety across England.

The goal is to understand the scale of maternity care failings, identify reasons behind them, and implement improvements.

The Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have expressed frustration at the slow pace of progress in improving maternity safety.

The UK government has invested £165 million per year since 2021 to improve maternity and neonatal services. However, more needs to be done to ensure that mothers and babies receive safe, high-quality care.

The trust’s chief medical officer, Dr. Magnus Harrison, highlighted significant improvements made since the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections in December 2024 and January 2025.

These changes indicate the trust’s commitment to addressing concerns and providing high-quality care. However, without the full CQC report, it’s challenging to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of these improvements. The trust’s progress will likely be monitored closely by regulatory bodies and Stakeholders.

By focusing on these areas, the trust can work towards achieving sustained excellence in patient care and services.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has faced concerns about its maternity care, with multiple whistleblowers coming forward.

The situation highlights ongoing concerns about maternity care in the UK, with calls for a national inquiry into maternity safety and improved support for families affected by poor care.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTH) has faced significant concerns regarding its maternity care, with 107 clinical claims filed between April 2015 and April 2024.

The NHS faces challenges in reducing clinical negligence claims, with a £2.7 billion cost in 2022-23. To address this, the NHS Resolution has implemented initiatives like the Early Notification Scheme, which aims to provide early support to families and reduce litigation.

Sixty-seven families who experienced inadequate care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals’ (LTH) maternity units are calling for an independent review into the trust’s maternity services.

These families have reported various issues, including baby deaths, injuries, and maternal trauma. Specifically, 107 clinical claims were made against LTH for obstetric-related deaths and injuries between April 2015 and April 2024, resulting in over £71 million in payouts.

The families are requesting that senior midwife Donna Ockenden lead the independent review. Ockenden is known for her expertise in investigating maternity care issues. An independent review would help identify areas for improvement and potentially lead to better care for mothers and babies

An independent review led by Donna Ockenden could help address the concerns raised by these families and lead to improved maternity care at LTH.

The experiences shared by families who received inadequate care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) maternity units highlight common themes.

These themes are echoed in the experiences of Heidi Mayman and Dale Morton, whose daughter Lyla died four days after birth in 2019. The trust’s handling of such cases has raised concerns about accountability and the need for improvement.

The NHS Resolution’s role in handling clinical claims and providing support to families affected by adverse events is crucial. In some cases, the trust has made undisclosed settlements to families, like Heidi Mayman and Dale Morton.

The ongoing concerns and calls for an independent review into LTH’s maternity services highlight the need for transparency, accountability, and quality improvement in healthcare. By prioritizing patient-centered care and addressing systemic issues, healthcare providers can work towards better outcomes for families.

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