Maternity Care in the UK: Lessons from the Amos and Ockenden Reports

Birth trauma and maternity injuries have continued to make recent headlines.

As specialist Solicitors who regularly represent both mothers and their children in Clinical Negligence claims arising from substandard maternity care, we are glad that such issues are increasingly getting the spotlight they deserve.

However, we recognise that behind every number and statistic there is a family who has suffered potentially devastating consequences – often with wide-ranging impacts on nearly every part of life.

Maternity care in the UK: what do recent findings say?

In June 2026, Baroness Amos published her independent investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England, which summarised:

“For too many (depending on where they live, who they are or simply the day they give birth), the care they receive is not good enough and can result in avoidable harm for women, birthing people and babies.”

In a similar vein, Donna Ockenden’s report into maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust – also published in June 2026 – concluded that 444 women and 76 newborn babies suffered ‘potentially avoidable’ harm whilst under the Trust’s care between 2012 and 2025.

Due to the nature of medicine and the system of healthcare in this country, when a patient has concerns about the care they have received, they often have to rely on the same hospital – and the same doctors in some instances – that provided the care in question to explain what has happened to them. There is no room or process to allow for an independent review.

In circumstances where there has been a significant breakdown in trust because of, for example, a traumatic birth or a severely injured baby, that lack of trust can continue into the investigation process.

The importance of an impartial second opinion

One of the benefits of investigating a Clinical Negligence claim is that the circumstances of the birth are reviewed by an independent doctor and/or midwife who specialises in that area of practice.

These experts are usually NHS Consultants and NHS midwives who are based in a different location with no link to the hospital or doctors involved. Their duty is to review all the evidence and give their own independent opinion to the Court as to the standard of care involved – regardless of who instructs them.

Indeed, one of my most satisfying moments as a Clinical Negligence Solicitor came when dealing with a client who, despite not having a claim after an investigation of their care, was nonetheless grateful that they finally understood what had happened to them and why.

Getting the answers you deserve

We know that many conflicting emotions can arise when you have concerns about the care you and/or your child received during your pregnancy, labour or in the postpartum period.

It’s likely that you are already busy managing the injuries that you or your child have suffered – and so bringing a legal claim can feel like adding to a plate that is already full.

We understand the weight of this decision for every client.

We know that, for those navigating challenging circumstances following a birth injury, it can also be difficult to speak about your experiences to others, but that accessing the answers that you deserve – whether you have a Clinical Negligence claim or otherwise – can be an important part of the healing process.

Birth injury claims: key considerations

The birth of a child is such a delicate and multifaceted event that we often deal with families where a mother and a child have their own separate, but linked, claims relating to substandard treatment.

Our experienced team has brought medical negligence claims from negligent birth and maternity care covering a wide range of conditions. These include mothers who have suffered a perineal tear, a major bleed or haemorrhage, infection or a psychological injury. We also act for mothers who have suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth or who have lost their baby shortly after birth.

In addition, our Solicitors have brought successful medical negligence claims on behalf of children who have suffered a brain injury at or shortly after birth – for example, from a period of low oxygen (sometimes referred to as ‘Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy’ or HIE), low blood sugar or infection.

While claims can arise from the same conditions or outcome, we understand that behind every claim is a unique individual with their own set of circumstances.

When we investigate the value of a claim, we take time and effort to understand this and ensure that the compensation claimed is tailored to reflect each particular Claimant, their family and the impact of the negligence over the long term.

Considerations will include:

• Provision for care or treatment of the injured mother and/or child
• Any change in the family income as a result of the negligence (e.g. not being able to work or having to reduce hours)
• Whether your house remains a safe and appropriate place to live – and if it needs adaptations or whether a move to a new house would be best

Understanding exactly what a person’s lifetime needs are likely to be in the aftermath of medical negligence can be a tricky and lengthy process – particularly when dealing with claims on behalf of a child. Typically, it will need to be seen how the child develops over time before a final figure can be put on the level of compensation they can claim.

In situations like these, we ensure that our clients can get interim payments of their damages wherever possible so that you can still access the support you need while we obtain all the evidence needed to prove the final amount of compensation for your claim.

Get in touch

Unfortunately, it’s likely there are more difficult headlines to come – with two further Ockenden investigations currently ongoing into maternity care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

If you have any concerns about the medical care you have received during your pregnancy, birth or in the postnatal period, it’s always advisable to seek expert advice as soon as possible.

Contact our experienced Clinical Negligence team today on 03333 058375 or email [email protected] for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss what’s happened to you. We’re here to help.