Family of mother-of-five who died after childbirth call for expanded inquiry into maternity care

On Monday (15 September), a list of 14 trusts was published as part of Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s rapid review of maternity care in England, which was initially announced in June.  

Laura-Jane's family have expressed “deep distress and disappointment” over the rapid review's exclusion of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which Laura-Jane had been under the care of at the time of her death.  

The family highlight “serious concerns” raised at the inquest into Laura-Jane's death, and are calling for the scope of the review to be widened.  

In August 2024, a coroner concluded that Laura-Jane's death at Broomfield Hospital in December 2023 had been avoidable.  

The coroner found that Laura-Jane died because of basic failings to recognise a loss of consciousness as a maternal collapse.  

In the hours after giving birth, Laura-Jane suffered a deterioration in her condition which the inquest heard was not recognised or escalated for senior review. This was despite Laura-Jane being at high risk of a post-partum haemorrhage and raising concerns with medical staff that she felt like she was bleeding.  

After she initially lost consciousness, staff offered Laura-Jane a biscuit and treated the incident as a faint, with expert evidence confirming that she had in fact experienced a maternal collapse which warranted obstetric review. 

The coroner accepted in her conclusion that Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to life) had been engaged due to the role the state played in her death. 

The Department of Health has said its rapid review would “urgently look at a range of services across the maternity system”. However, Laura-Jane's family have raised concerns over the scope of the review following the omission of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. 

Laura-Jane's family said:

"We, the family of Laura-Jane Seaman, a beloved mother of five who tragically died under the care of Broomfield Hospital, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, express our deep distress and disappointment that the Trust responsible for Laura-Jane’s care has not been included in the national maternity and neonatal services investigation led by Baroness Valerie Amos. 

"This investigation, announced by the Department of Health and Social Care, is a vital step toward addressing systemic failures in maternity care across England. It aims to place bereaved families at the heart of its work, acknowledging their experiences and ensuring that lessons are learned to prevent future tragedies. Yet, despite the stated commitment to inclusivity and transparency, our family feels overlooked and excluded from a process intended to ensure that Trusts are properly held to account. 

"The omission of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust from the list of 14 selected Trusts is deeply concerning, particularly given the circumstances surrounding Laura-Jane’s death and the serious questions that were raised at the Inquest into her death about the quality and safety of care provided.  Laura-Jane was a loving mother of five, and her death was found by Area Coroner, Sonia Hayes, to have been avoidable and contributed to by neglect. We have lived with the pain of losing her every day, and we have been fighting to make sure what happened to her does not happen to anyone else. 

"Therefore, we are troubled by the lack of clarity around the criteria used to select Trusts for review, and we urge the investigation team to reconsider its scope to ensure that all families who have suffered loss and harm are given the opportunity to be heard. 

"We will continue to seek answers and justice, not only for Laura-Jane, but for all families who have endured preventable loss." 

Laura-Jane's family are represented by Leigh Day partner Suzanne White and solicitor Camilla Browne. Suzanne said:

“Following the announcement of the rapid review, we welcomed the opportunity for bereaved families to have their voices heard. However, we are concerned that the current scope may not fully reflect the breadth of experiences by our clients, as some key hospital Trusts have not been included in the rapid review. Laura-Jane Seaman’s family want accountability and justice for her and her family. The decision not to include the NHS Trust responsible for her treatment within the review raises important questions. We respectfully urge those leading the investigation to consider broadening its scope, to ensure that families affected by such profound loss are given the chance to be heard.”