Maternity negligence claims at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust
Families affected by maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) often come to us seeking answers, clarity, and reassurance about what happened during pregnancy, labour, or their baby’s birth.
We support families who have been treated at Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital and are concerned that avoidable mistakes may have contributed to injury, stillbirth, or the loss of a baby.
If you are worried about your care, we can help you understand what happened and whether you may have a maternity negligence claim.
Call us on 0800 138 0458 to get started, or send a message via the form on our site.
Reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling
0800 1380 458, or contacting us through the website.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is currently the subject of the largest independent maternity review in NHS history, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden.
The review is examining thousands of cases involving pregnancy care, labour, stillbirths, deaths, and serious birth injuries.
Alongside this, maternity services at NUH have been subject to:
These investigations do not determine legal liability, but they can provide important context for families who have questions about their own care.
Many parents tell us they are coming forward now because they are beginning to realise their experience may not have been isolated.
Some of the families we support have shared their experiences publicly to help others understand what happened within maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals.
One such case involved parents Sarah and Gary, whose daughter Wynter died shortly after birth at Queen’s Medical Centre.
Concerns were raised during labour about their baby’s condition, but there were delays in escalation and intervention.
Following Wynter’s death, an inquest concluded that multiple failings in care contributed to her death and that it was preventable.
Their experience was featured in BBC Panorama and has formed part of the wider national discussion about maternity safety in Nottingham.
We are proud to support families who choose to share their stories and seek answers through investigations and inquests.
Our specialist team supports families affected by maternity care at NUH and other NHS Trusts. We are accredited by leading legal bodies and experienced in complex birth injury cases, including cerebral palsy, hypoxic brain injury, stillbirth, and death.
We work with independent medical experts to understand what happened and whether care fell below acceptable standards. We help families access answers, explore NHS complaints, and assess whether a legal claim may be possible.
We understand families are often seeking answers, not immediate legal action. You will have a dedicated solicitor who explains everything clearly, listens carefully, and supports you at your own pace throughout the process.
Many maternity negligence claims are funded on a “no win, no fee” basis. We explain all funding options clearly from the outset so you understand any costs and how your case will be supported.
We have supported families affected by maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust for many years, helping parents seek answers about what happened during pregnancy, labour, and birth at Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital.
We regularly act for parents whose babies have been injured during birth, including cases involving and hypoxic brain injury, where families are now caring for children with lifelong support needs. We also support families who have experienced or death, where questions remain about whether different care could have changed the outcome.
In cases involving Nottingham University Hospitals, we understand the wider context families are often coming into contact with, including ongoing investigations and national scrutiny of maternity services. We are familiar with the concerns that have been raised over time, and we approach every case carefully, focusing on the individual circumstances of each family rather than assumptions about what has happened elsewhere.
When we are instructed, we take time to listen properly to your experience and obtain a full understanding of your concerns. Where appropriate, we will investigate what happened using independent medical experts, helping you to understand whether the care you received met an acceptable standard.
For families raising a child with complex or lifelong needs, we also focus on securing long-term financial support to help with specialist care, therapies, equipment, and home adaptations, aiming to improve stability and quality of life for the future.
“I cannot fault David and Chantelle. My clinical negligence case has been handled excellently with an outcome even better than anyone expected. David and Chantelle have kept me updated with all the important details, and always got back to me fast with anything I needed to know. David took the time to get to know me and was always careful in his communications about the case to not put more strain on me and to reassure me. I thoroughly recommend.”
Medical Negligence client
“Sarah adopts a personable and open approach with her clients and is a knowledgeable, practicable and tenacious litigator with an admirable knowledge of her clients’ needs and interests. Sarah will go above and beyond what is expected and will exceed her client’s expectations in achieving fair and just outcomes for her clients. Sarah is instrumental in bettering the quality of life for her clients and has fought vigorously for each of her clients to achieve a better outlook for them and a happier, brighter future.”
Litigation Friend of Medical Negligence (brain injured) Client
I would like to say a massive thank you to you and your team for your tireless effort in helping me with my claim. This has definitely become a success and words can’t express how grateful I am.
Medical Negligence Client
A couple supported by Switalskis specialist medical negligence and maternity experts have featured on a BBC Panorama programme to share the tragic story of how their baby died just 23 minutes after birth. After a number of failures at a maternity unit run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), the Trust is now the subject of the largest maternity inquiry in the history of the NHS.
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust has been fined £1.6 Million by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after admitting to failing to provide safe treatment for three mothers and three babies who tragically died within months of each other in 2021.
Over five years we represented Jack and Sarah Hawkins in a clinical negligence claim against Nottingham University Hospital Trust following the death of their unborn baby, Harriet. In October 2021, their legal case settled (out of court) for £2.8 million, a figure that is thought to be the largest pay out for a clinical negligence case in the UK.
Adele O’Sullivan was born and died on 7 April 2021 at Nottingham City Hospital. Adele was born prematurely at 29+1 weeks gestation, her mother had a history of premature labour and was high risk, therefore following her waters breaking at 27+5 weeks, had been kept in hospital ‘for observation’.
Teddy was born on 23 November 2020 and died less than 48 hours after birth. The family would like to say that “he was a glimmer of hope in what felt a very uncertain pandemic world. He was a much wanted, and much-loved baby, and our hearts are broken because he is not with us today.”
The inquest into the death of Baby Wynter Andrews concluded with the coroner stating that “obvious neglect” had contributed to Wynter’s death. It is hoped that the findings of the inquest will bring about greater scrutiny and transparency into the practices of NUHT.
Contact us today and let's start your journey towards recovery together. Call us today on 0800 1380 458, or get in touch via our form.
We help families affected by a wide range of maternity care concerns at Nottingham University Hospitals, including:
We recognise the numerous challenges mothers may face during childbirth. At Switalskis, we're here to support you with your birth injury case. If you've experienced any form of injury during childbirth, rest assured that we're here for you. Types of birth injuries to the mother include:
Sometimes, a healthcare professional's oversight can result in an injury to your child with long-lasting effects. If your child has suffered any type of birth injury, we're committed to providing the legal support you need. Types of birth injuries to the child include:
NUH maternity services have been under sustained national scrutiny in recent years.
This includes the independent Ockenden Review, which is examining thousands of maternity cases in Nottingham, alongside other regulatory and investigative processes.
There have also been:
These developments reflect wider concerns about maternity safety and governance within parts of the NHS.
For many families, they have also provided the first opportunity to revisit their own experiences and seek answers.
Many families describe leaving hospital believing everything was normal, only to later discover complications or concerns that were not fully explained at the time.
The current investigations into NUH have led many parents to revisit their experiences and ask whether more could have been done.
Common concerns include:
For many families, the most important first step is not making a legal claim, but understanding whether their concerns are valid.
Independent investigations such as the Ockenden Review or regulatory inspections are not legal determinations of negligence.
However, they can:
If you are affected, we can help you understand how these findings may relate to your own circumstances and whether a claim may be possible.
We understand that taking legal action is a significant decision, and many families want clarity before deciding what to do next.
We can help you by:
We explain everything in clear, straightforward language and always at your pace.
Compensation cannot change what has happened, but it can help provide long-term stability and support for families.
It may help with:
We recognise that every family’s circumstances are unique, and we approach every case with care and sensitivity.
For many families, seeking answers involves more than legal proceedings alone.
We also support clients through:
This may include supporting families involved in national reporting, including BBC Panorama, where experiences are shared to help improve maternity safety for others.
Switalskis is nationally recognised for its expertise in complex clinical negligence and birth injury claims.
Our specialist team supports families affected by serious maternity care failings, including cases involving lifelong injury and bereavement.
We are known for:
We understand the emotional and practical impact these cases have on families.
At Switalskis, our dedicated team offers a professional service that goes beyond the legal formalities, to take the stress out of the process and allow you to focus on your recovery. We take the time to understand your needs, to make the process as simple as possible and represent your interests effectively. Our approach to medical negligence compensation claims is underpinned by the following principles:
Medical negligence cases often include a combination of legal and clinical terminology that can be difficult to decipher. We're committed to breaking things down and offering clear communication that lets you know exactly what to expect from the process and where your case is up to.
Making a medical negligence claim while dealing with recovery from an injury or illness can lead to a lot of emotional strain without the right support. Switalskis will stand by your side and offer emotional support alongside our excellent service and legal advice.
Our solicitors have a thorough understanding of both the legal and medical aspects of a clinical negligence claim, which means we're adept at gathering evidence and assessing your needs. Our strong track record of success means we're well-placed to deliver the best possible outcome for you.
When poor medical care, a delayed diagnosis or a surgical error lead to harm, patients have the right to pursue compensation and justice for their injuries. Switalskis will make sure your voice is heard during this process and protect your rights throughout your legal journey.
For definitions of terms used in these FAQs, visit our Glossary page
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If you are concerned about maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, we offer a free, confidential discussion to help you understand your options.
There is no obligation to proceed, and many families speak to us simply to gain clarity about what happened.
If you decide to move forward, we will guide you step by step through the process and support you throughout. Call 0800 138 0458 to speak to our clinical negligence team, or use the form on our website to send us a message.