Trust admits new mum lost her baby daughter because of maternity failings at University College Hospital London

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust accepted full liability for the death and the mother has secured a six-figure settlement.  

The woman in her 40s who we are calling Jacqui, became pregnant for the first time in November 2018. She has a family history of deep vein thrombosis and because of the risk of additional complications, she was referred to consultant-led care.  

Medical records show that everything progressed as expected for the first 28 weeks of Jacqui’s pregnancy but at 28 weeks, a scan showed elevated liver enzyme levels. Jacqui was never told about this and only found out during the later investigation. 

At 35 weeks, Jacqui contacted University College London Hospital (UCH), reporting itching on her palms and feet and she was invited to come in for a blood test and assessment. These results showed a further increase in liver enzymes and that her bile acid was very elevated. Jacqui remembers being told that this could increase the risk of stillbirth and that she would therefore likely need to be induced. 

A cardiotocography (CTG) was performed to measure the baby’s heart rate and medical staff documented everything as normal. Jacqui was then diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis, an uncommon liver problem which can happen during pregnancy and may cause the body to make more bile acids.  

Records show that at 36–weeks in June 2019, Jacqui underwent an ultrasound which was normal, but when blood test results came back the following day, they showed a further sharp rise in bile acids. Jacqui was not told what this increase meant, and she was advised that she was to return to hospital the next day to be urgently induced into labour.  

When Jacqui arrived at UCH, she recalls being told there were no beds available on the antenatal care unit and that she should come back the next day. When she arrived the following morning, the day that her scheduled induction was, Jacqui says she was again told to go home and wait for an update on available beds.  

Four days after the initial blood test highlighted concerns, Jacqui became worried about a drop in foetal movements and returned to UCH. Records show a midwife attempted a CTG but was unable to find the baby’s heartbeat.  

An obstetric consultant then confirmed to Jacqui that her baby had died. She recalls the doctor apologised that she had not been admitted sooner because of a shortage of beds.  

In July 2021, Jacqui instructed the medical negligence team at law firm, Leigh Day to look into her case.  

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust admitted full liability and following a two-year investigation, Jacqui reached a six-figure out-of-court settlement with the trust in November 2024.  

Jacqui was represented by Leigh Day senior associate solicitor, Frankie Rhodes.  

Jacqui said: 

“I am pleased to have been able to obtain some answers about what happened through this process and thankful that we were able to reach a settlement. 

I do feel that I now have some sense of closure, but I am devastated that we have been deprived of the opportunity to have a child.” 

Frankie Rhodes said:  

“Jacqui was never made to feel like a priority, and this oversight by the trust had devastating consequences.  

“Every mother has the right to full and appropriate care at the time when it is needed. No mother-to-be should be sidelined with the risk to life of her unborn child.  

“It was a privilege to represent Jacqui, and to secure a relatively early admission of liability from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust.  

“I truly hope that lessons have been learned to avoid needless deaths, like that of Jacqui’s baby daughter.”  

Frankie Rhodes was assisted by paralegal, Ollie Gyani. Counsel on the case was Vanessa Cashman of 12 King’s Bench Walk.