Clinical negligence lawyer welcomes widening of independent review into maternity failings  

An independent inquiry into the trust was ordered by Jeremy Hunt in his role as Health Secretary in 2017. It is being led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden who was initially tasked with reviewing 23 cases of alleged poor care. 
 
Since the launch of the inquiry more families have voiced their concerns about the care provided at the hospital and those families had urged health and social care secretary Matt Hancock to widen the independent inquiry to include the additional incidents
 
The Health Service Journal reported this morning that at least 60 cases of poor maternity care have been uncovered at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust. These are in addition to the 23 cases of poor care that are currently under investigation.
 
Following the HSJ revelations NHS Improvement confirmed that it would widen the review. A spokesperson said it had agreed "to consider additional historical investigations that have been highlighted since our independent review was announced in April 2017, where women, infants and new-born babies had died or suffered harm in the maternity services provided by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust".
 
Suzanne White, head of the clinical negligence department at law firm Leigh Day, said:
 
“The scale of the alleged poor maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust is truly shocking. It is imperative that an independent review of all instances of alleged poor care is carried out so that all the families affected can get answers. I am pleased that the NHS has agreed to widen the independent review and I hope that  that lessons can be learned.”