Leeds maternity scandal: Andy Burnham pledges to meet families saying 'we won't let what happened be forgotten'

More than 50 Leeds families have now instructed legal firm Irwin Mitchell to represent them in claims of failures in maternity care, however lawyers say this could be the “tip of the iceberg”.

Andy Burnham has committed to meeting the families affected by the Leeds maternity scandal at the conclusion of Donna Ockenden’s review, saying: “We won't let what happened to you be forgotten.”

The new Prime Minister told reporters, including from The Yorkshire Post, that improving standards in maternity and neonatal care “will be one of my priorities”.

Senior midwife Donna Ockenden is leading an independent review, launched by previous health secretary Wes Streeting, into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

This came after a BBC investigation revealed the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers at the trust over the past five years may have been prevented.

Ms Ockenden’s review will look at maternity and neonatal services over a 15-year period and could involve up to 3,000 cases.

“The review was set up by my predecessor, and I will make sure it captures the full attention of Whitehall when it's published,” Mr Burnham said.

“My message to the parents concerned, the families concerned, is: we won't let what happened to you be forgotten.

“We will study what comes from the review in detail, and I can commit now to meeting the parents when the moment is right to discuss what's in it and the action that will be taken as a result.”

In response, the Leeds Maternity Families Group said: “We welcome Andy Burnham's recognition of the scale of failings in Leeds, and his commitment to meet affected families. Every change in leadership brings the same promises.

“Words are a good start, but they must translate into immediate action.

“He said he will meet families ‘when the moment is right’ – that moment is now, and what is needed is real engagement with bereaved and harmed families across the country.

“That starts with the commissioning of a national statutory public inquiry into maternity services, which takes maternity safety out of the political arena and into a legal one: with continuity, a proper framework, and a mechanism to expose the true scale of failures across the country and deliver accountability.”

Legal firm Irwin Mitchell says it has now been instructed by more than 50 Leeds families, including parents in the group, although Katie Warner, a specialist medical negligence lawyer, said this could be “the tip of the iceberg”.

“The start of the independent review by Donna Ockenden is a hugely significant moment for the families we represent and for many others across Leeds who have spent years campaigning for answers,” she said.

"Many families have endured the unimaginable loss of a baby, life-changing injuries to their children or serious harm to mums. Those who have come forward so far have shown incredible courage and determination in speaking out and ensuring that their experiences are properly heard.

"We currently represent more than 50 families in claims arising from maternity and neonatal care provided at Leeds and continue to be contacted by families seeking answers.

“This could be just the tip of the iceberg and as the review gets underway, we anticipate that those numbers will only increase.”

The review is currently working on its terms of reference, with Ms Ockenden launching the process in Leeds last month.

She has invited parents from the city to reach out and contribute.

Ms Warner added: "It is vital that every family affected is listened to and are part of the process, that staff feel able to speak openly and honestly, and that the findings lead to meaningful, lasting improvements in maternity and neonatal services.

"Our clients are clear that this process is not simply about looking back.

They want to help ensure that no other family has to experience the pain and trauma they have suffered.

“We’ll now be supporting families throughout the Inquiry and helping them ensure their voices remain at the heart of the process."

Several members of the Leeds Maternity Families Group are being represented by Irwin Mitchell, including Fiona and Dan Winser-Ramm.

Their daughter Aliona died less than half an hour after she was born in 2020, and the inquest found midwife neglect and “a number of gross failures … directly contributed” to her death.

Fiona said: “At the moment we were told Aliona had died, our world imploded. What was meant to be the happiest day of our lives catastrophically descended into the worst.”

Through an NHS Resolution, the trust said that “earlier intervention would have, on the balance of probabilities, resulted in a live birth” and apologised for the “substandard care”.

Brendan Brown, chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I am deeply sorry to families whose babies have sadly died or who have been harmed when receiving care in our hospitals.

“I know apologies are not enough, and we are absolutely committed to working openly, honestly and transparently with Donna Ockenden and the review team, and with families who have used our services. We hope this review will provide families with the answers they deserve.

“Significant improvements are already underway in our maternity and neonatal services; we know there is much more to do, and we are committed to improve and ensure that every family receives safe, compassionate, inclusive, and high-quality care.”