Concerns about maternity safety at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTH) continue to mount, as new evidence points to widespread and longstanding failings in care.

In the wake of a BBC investigation published earlier this year — which revealed 56 potentially avoidable baby deaths and two maternal deaths at the Trust between 2019 and mid-2024 — a further 47 families have now come forward. These families report inadequate maternity care at LTH between 2017 and 2024, bringing the total number of affected families reported to 67.

Their accounts reveal common and deeply troubling themes: being ignored or dismissed when raising concerns, delays in care, and a lack of compassion at key moments. Many of these families believe their babies' deaths or injuries could have been prevented, and say they were left feeling isolated and unsupported by the Trust.

In addition to the families who have shared their experiences, three new whistleblowers, including senior clinical staff, have spoken out about internal concerns within LTH's maternity services at both Leeds General Infirmary and St James’ University Hospital.

Immediate improvements ordered following inspection

Following whistleblower reports and accounts from bereaved families, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has conducted an unannounced inspection of maternity and neonatal services at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and St James’s University Hospital.

The findings, which prompted formal warning notices to the Trust, highlight serious safety, leadership, and cultural concerns across both hospitals. Families and campaigners, many of whom have already contacted the BBC and legal professionals, continue to call for an independent inquiry into the Trust’s maternity services.

The CQC told LTH that immediate action was required to make improvements in several key areas. The CQC key findings included:

• Staff shortages affecting safety and the timeliness of care
• Senior leaders not always listening to staff concerns
• Poor incident investigations and insufficient learning from mistakes
• Unsafe neonatal baby transfers between hospital sites, with a lack of proper safety checks
• Poor staff morale stemming from a perceived blame culture
• Equipment, environment, and medication safety risks

The Trust must submit a formal action plan and will continue to be monitored closely to ensure that improvements take place.

CQC’s Rating downgrades for Maternity and Neonatal Services

The CQC also confirmed worrying downgrades in its ratings for maternity and neonatal care. This is the first time that standalone ratings have been published for maternity services at LGI and St James’s.

The Trust’s overall rating fell from Good to Requires Improvement at LGI, while St James’s University Hospital also remains Requires Improvement. The Trust as a whole is still rated as Good, with areas of good practice across the Trust including:

• Staff demonstrated an understanding of safeguarding and how to protect people from abuse
• Clear processes were in place for safeguarding
• Parents were supported with up-to-date information about their babies’ care
• Staff worked well with other agencies and promoted healthier futures for families

Next steps and calls for action

The Trust must now submit a detailed action plan outlining how it will address the CQC’s findings. The CQC will continue to closely monitor progress and will return to reinspect the Trust in due course. The full CQC report is expected to be published publicly in the coming days.

In light of the growing number of families affected, campaigners are calling for a full, independent inquiry into maternity services at LTH. A group of families has formally requested that the review be led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, who previously chaired the inquiry into maternity failings at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust and will be leading the inquiry into Nottingham University Hospital Trust.

Some Leeds families have also joined a national campaign urging the government to hold a country-wide inquiry into maternity safety in England. In meetings with bereaved parents, Health Secretary Wes Streeting is reported to have acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and confirmed that further measures are being considered.

Supporting families seeking answers

For the families who have lost children or experienced trauma during childbirth, the emotional impact is immeasurable. Many continue to live with unanswered questions and a deep sense of injustice.

At Switalskis we support many families affected by inadequate safety measures in maternity and neonatal services at Leeds as well as at other trusts, including Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. Please contact us for a confidential discussion about your options and how we can support you.

Where mistakes have been made, families deserve honesty, answers, and action. No one should be left feeling ignored or dismissed at a time when compassionate, expert care is most needed.

Advocating for affected families

If you or a loved one have been affected by failings in maternity and or neonatal care our experienced team is here to listen, advise and help you find the answers you deserve.

Get in touch with our specialist team to discuss your experience in confidence. Call us on 0800 1380 458 or email help@switalskis.com