Women’s safety “still a concern” for maternity services at Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital
By Luke Simpson
A new report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has once again raised serious concerns about maternity care at both Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital, Burton.
Despite being rated “inadequate” in 2023, the latest 2025 inspection found the services still “require improvement” , with inspectors warning that the safety of women and babies remains a concern.
What the CQC found
The CQC inspection identified a number of ongoing issues within maternity care, including:
- Limited access to life-saving resuscitation equipment in birthing centres
- Ineffective processes for identifying and managing women needing induction of labour, falling short of national guidance
- Poor visible leadership from obstetric teams
- A lack of coordinated care and communication
- Privacy and dignity concerns during patient handovers
Perhaps most worrying, the report found the Trust still fails to report all patient safety incidents, a fundamental step in improving care.
A legal perspective
Our medical negligence solicitor, Luke Simpson, has been following developments closely and reflecting on what these findings mean for expectant mothers across Derby and Burton.
“As birth injury specialists, we know that the open and honest reporting of medical incidents is essential to improving safety.
When mistakes are reported, investigations can take place and lessons can be learned — reducing the risk of similar harm to mothers and babies in the future.
When issues are ignored or ‘swept under the carpet’, patients are left without answers or reassurance. That’s often when they turn to us, for help in understanding what went wrong and holding those responsible to account.”
Leadership and culture remain key challenges
While the CQC noted “pockets of improvement” since 2023, there are still concerns around leadership, communication, and governance within maternity services.
Inspectors also recognised that mothers generally felt they were treated with kindness and compassion by frontline staff, suggesting that while individual care is strong, the wider service continues to be let down by systemic and cultural failings.
Luke Simpson added:
“We hope the Trust follows through on its commitment to use these findings as a genuine opportunity to improve.
Families in Derby and Burton deserve maternity services that are safe, transparent and dependable.”
Supporting families affected by birth injuries and maternity negligence
At Switalskis, our birth injury solicitors have extensive experience supporting families who have suffered due to failures in maternity and obstetric care.
We understand how devastating it can be when something goes wrong during pregnancy, labour or birth, and how important it is to get clear answers, accountability and support.
Our team has acted in cases involving:
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment
- Failures in monitoring or escalation of care
- Severe birth tears and maternal injuries
- Child brain injuries, including hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and cerebral palsy
We work sensitively with families to help them rebuild their lives, ensuring mothers and babies receive the rehabilitation, support and compensation they need for the best possible future.
Speak to our specialist team
If you or your baby have been affected by poor maternity care at Royal Derby Hospital, Queen’s Hospital Burton, or elsewhere, our specialist solicitors are here to help.
Get in touch with our specialist team to discuss your experience in confidence. Call us on 0800 1380 458 or email help@switalskis.com.
How can a solicitor help after a birth injury in Derby or Burton?
A specialist birth injury solicitor can:
- Review your medical records to identify any failures in care
- Help you understand what went wrong during pregnancy, labour, or birth
- Guide you through making a claim for compensation if you or your baby suffered harm
- Arrange access to rehabilitation, therapy, and ongoing support for your family
- Act as a supportive point of contact during what can be a very stressful and emotional process
At Switalskis, our team works sensitively with families to help them get answers and the support they need.
What did the CQC find at Royal Derby and Queen’s Hospital maternity units?
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that maternity services at Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital, Burton, still require improvement. Key concerns included:
- Limited access to life-saving resuscitation equipment in birthing centres
- Ineffective processes for identifying and managing women needing induction of labour
- Poor leadership and communication within obstetric teams
- Lack of coordinated care and issues with privacy during patient handovers
- Incomplete reporting of patient safety incidents, which is crucial to preventing future harm
While staff were generally reported to provide kind and compassionate care, the CQC highlighted that leadership and culture issues need urgent attention.
What are common signs of maternity negligence during childbirth?
Maternity negligence can take many forms, but some common signs include:
- Delayed diagnosis or treatment of complications during pregnancy or labour
- Inadequate monitoring of the baby’s heart rate or mother’s vital signs
- Improper management of labour, including failure to induce or accelerate labour when needed
- Failure to respond to emergencies such as shoulder dystocia or postpartum haemorrhage
- Injuries to the baby such as brain damage, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or cerebral palsy
If you notice that care fell below accepted medical standards and caused harm, it may indicate maternity negligence.
Can I make a claim if my baby was injured during birth?
Yes, if your baby suffered a birth injury due to substandard maternity care, you may be able to make a medical negligence claim.
Claims typically involve situations where:
- The injury could have been prevented with proper care
- There was a failure to follow national clinical guidance
- There were delays in diagnosis, treatment, or escalation of care
Our specialist solicitors can assess your case confidentially, explain your options, and guide you through every step of the legal process.
Luke qualified as a Solicitor in 2024 and works in the Medical Negligence team.
