Patchy antenatal care for multiple birth patients in England

A report from the NCT and Twins and Multiple Births Association, suggests that some regions in England are providing poor antenatal care to women expecting twins or triplets, thereby increasing the risk of stillbirth or disability.

1,400 parents took part in a survey, the results of which suggested that patients in the West Midlands and the South East were receiving the worst care, while the best care was provided to patients in the North East of England.

Guidance on multiple pregnancies was introduced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2011 and quality standards in 2013, which say that all patients expecting multiple babies should be provided with a named midwife, obstetrician and a sonographer with specialist knowledge.

Multiple pregnancies account for 3% of all UK pregnancies and present a much higher risk of poor health and disability after birth and higher incidences of neonatal death.

However, the survey indicated that only between 10-18% of units had fully implemented the guidelines and specialist care access in some areas was limited. Antenatal specialist care with multiple pregnancies is important as this is often when things can go wrong.

Chief executive of the Twins and Multiple Births Association, Keith Reed, said “This report paints a bleak picture with shocking variations in the standard of multiple-pregnancy care across the country.

“The NHS England maternity review needs to address this issue as a matter of urgency to prevent babies’ lives being put at risk.”

A spokesperson from NHS England said the report would “assess how best we can respond to England’s growing birth rate and the need for safe and flexible services which are tailored to the needs of women, babies and their families.”

Director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, Louise Silverton, said that the results of the review were “extremely worrying”.

She went on to say “It is crucial that we find out why this is happening and take steps to address it.

“The fact that so few trusts are implementing the guidelines is also a real concern. The guidelines are there for a reason and trusts should be using them.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of Medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex Medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of Medical negligence. He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in Medical negligence claims. Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled. Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk. Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist Medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

Freephone: 0800 028 2969

For further information, please see our cerebral palsy and birth injury website:
http://www.cerebralpalsyclaimssolicitors.co.uk

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), Medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.