Serious concerns over Leeds maternity services: what families need to know

By Chris Gresswell-Green

Published July 30, 2025In: Clinical Negligence

A new NHS England report has highlighted significant safety issues within maternity services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTH). The findings raise serious questions about patient safety, leadership and whether lessons are being learned quickly enough to protect families.

medical professionals walking in hospital

At Switalskis, we support many parents who have experienced the devastating consequences of poor maternity care. We know how vital it is that these concerns are taken seriously and that real change follows.

101 recommendations to address critical failings

The report – based on a review carried out in March 2025 – sets out 101 recommendations to improve maternity care at LTH. These are not minor adjustments but fundamental changes to address widespread and systemic problems, including:

Unsafe staffing levels
Lack of adequate monitoring equipment, such as CTG machines
Poor communication and leadership
A culture that struggles to learn from past mistakes
Insufficient out-of-hours support and escalation

Due to the seriousness of the concerns, the trust is now part of the national Maternity Safety Support Programme (MSSP). This level of intervention is only used when care is considered to be seriously unsafe.

Families speak out

The BBC has spoken to 67 families who report avoidable harm or the loss of their babies while under the care of LTH. We represent many families in similar circumstances and see first-hand the lasting emotional and impact of failings in maternity care.

A group of bereaved families described the report as “shocking and horrifying”, saying it reflects concerns they have raised for years. They criticised what they see as a “culture of denial” and a lack of accountability at the trust.

Leadership under scrutiny

Just days before the report’s publication, LTH Chief Executive Phil Wood announced his retirement. Having served as Chief Medical Officer during the period when many of these issues occurred, his departure has prompted further questions about leadership at such a critical time.

Although the trust has apologised and pledged urgent action, whistleblowers have raised concerns that many of the problems were identified months ago with little evidence of real progress.

Calls for an independent inquiry

Families affected by poor maternity care at LTH are now calling for a full independent inquiry, similar to the one launched into the Nottingham University Hospitals maternity scandal. We support those calls. Transparency and accountability are essential to restoring trust and preventing further harm.

At Switalskis, we help families seek answers and justice after avoidable injuries and deaths in childbirth. We know no report can undo what has happened, but holding healthcare providers to account can drive the changes needed to protect other families in the future.

How Switalskis can help

If you or your family have been affected by maternity care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals or another NHS trust, you are not alone. Our Medical Negligence team offers compassionate, expert advice to help you understand your options.