Hundreds of children are dying needlessly at birth or suffering severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy due to the NHS not following clinical guidelines correctly, claims research by Twins and Multiple Births charity (TAMBA).
Guidelines introduced in 2011 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) made it compulsory for midwives to be trained in multiple births, sonographers to be skilled in scanning for multiple pregnancies, and obstetricians always available when needed. However, the research by TAMBA reveals that less than 20 per cent of NHS Trusts have actually taken this on board, thus jeopardising patient safety. This is despite the total number of multiple pregnancies growing year on year.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have also called for the recommendations from NICE to be implemented so that any complications can be managed effectively. Multiple pregnancies are known to be higher risk yet still the Department of Health has not, to date, instigated these simple steps.
When complications arise with multiple births, they can cause lifelong problems for both the children affected and their families. A report by the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) which detailed ten years of maternity claims stressed that the most effective way to minimise both the financial and human cost of these errors is to improve how the risks are being managed and reduce how often the incidents are occurring. It is vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.
At Clear Law we have vast experience in helping families with birth negligence claims at what is always a very difficult and distressing time. If you would like to speak to our professional and helpful clinical negligence team, please call us on 0800 999 1875 or contact us online here. You can also request a call at a time convenient for you here. For more information on our expertise in birth negligence claims, please visit our website: www.medicalnegligence-solicitors.com