Whistleblowers accuse NHS trust of avoidable baby deaths

Serious concerns about maternity services at an NHS trust have been revealed by BBC Panorama.

Midwives say a poor culture and staff shortages at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust have led to baby deaths that could have been avoided.

A newborn baby died after the trust failed to take action against two staff, the BBC has been told.

The trust says it is sorry for its failings and is determined to learn when things go wrong.

Concerns about two staff members, both midwives, had been raised by colleagues at the Cheltenham Birth Centre after another baby died 11 months earlier.

The birth centre allowed women with low-risk pregnancies the choice of giving birth there under the care of midwives - there were no emergency facilities in the centre.

In the event of complications, women should have been transferred to the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, which is part of the same trust and about a 30-minute drive away.

But on both occasions, the two midwives did not get their patients transferred quickly enough.

The two midwives on duty for both deaths are now being investigated by their regulator, the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

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Source: BBC News, 29 January 2024