How Maternity Errors Cost the NHS in Medical Negligence No Win No Fee Cases
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A vast amount of the money spent compensating victims of medical blunders in medical negligence no win no feeclaims relates to cases of erroneous maternity care. This has lead to increased concern that lessons are not being learnt from mistakes which cost newborns their lives.
6,500 babies are born dead or die soon after every year in NHS hospitals. Patients’ groups state that the babies themselves and their parents are being let down by the very medical staff who should be saving them. Campaigners, having seen the massive amount of medical negligence no win no fee cases which relate to erroneous care of expectant mothers and their babies, believe that as much as 45% of these deaths are avoidable.
Currently, the NHS litigation authority spends £700 million each year on compensation and legal fees relating to medical negligence no win no fee claims. Of that amount, £300 million is spent on maternity related claims.
This massive proportion is greatly concerning according to patient groups and medical negligence no win no fee lawyers. They suggest that the figures show that despite promises from hospitals, medical staff and Primary Care Trusts, lessons are not being learnt and standards of care are not improving.
Amongst the most common problems which lead to loss of babies are failure to adequately monitor women who are about to give birth and turning away overdue mothers. Many people are concerned that attempts to cut costs are preventing new staff being taken on, worsening the problem.
There is no denying the importance of compensation for families whose lives have been blighted by NHS blunders but legal fees are putting the NHS under enormous strain. An investment in new staff and staff training would prevent additional blunders and therefore reduce litigation costs in the long term.



