Negligence Inquiry Launched as BAME Women more likely to die in birth and pregnancy.
February 23, 2021
An urgent inquiry has begun into the systemic racism present in NHS maternity services for black and minority ethnic women. This inquiry shows that there may be examples of birth and pregnancy negligence cases in the maternity services, resulting in devastating losses for these communities.
Data published last month by MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the country) showed black women were four times more likely than white women to die in pregnancy or childbirth in the UK while women from Asian ethnic backgrounds face twice the risk.
The inquiry will apply a human- rights lens to examine how claimed racial injustice – from explicit racism to bias – is leading to poorer health outcomes in maternity care for ethnic minority groups. It also has support from the UK charity Birthrights.
Birth and Pregnancy Negligence
Cases such as the ones that sparked the birth and pregnancy negligence inquiry into systemic racism in the NHS maternity services are examples of a type of medical negligence that you may be able to make a claim for. If a mother dies during childbirth or pregnancy, and it was due to avoidable mistakes that were made, then the medical professionals may be at fault and you may be able to make a claim.
There are various kinds of birth and pregnancy negligence that we deal with here at The Medical Negligence Experts. Some of these include:
- Birth issues
- Third and fourth-degree perineal tears;
- The poor performance of an episiotomy;
- Mismanaged pre-eclampsia.
- Damage to organs (such as the bladder) during a Caesarean section.
- Cerebral palsy caused by limiting a baby’s oxygen supply.
- Failing to identify, or delayed intervention, when a mother or baby is in distress.
- Errors with intervention, such as incorrect use of forceps.
- Fracturing a baby’s bones, or causing hip dysplasia.
- Death during childbirth
If you experience any of these, and it has had a long-term effect on either you, your baby or a loved one, then you may be able to make a claim.
Claiming on Behalf of Someone Else
It may be the case that you have to claim on behalf of a loved one. This includes if a loved one has died during pregnancy or childbirth. If this is the case, then the next of kin is the person who can make a claim on their behalf. This may be a spouse, parent or other relative.
We understand that when someone dies, the last thing that you may be thinking of is making a claim. The solicitors we work with are here to help with any financial stress that may come with these circumstances. These include funeral arrangements and helping with childcare costs.
How We Can Help
Here at The Medical Negligence Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of medical negligence claims. This includes birth and pregnancy claims. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138761 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.