This year (2024) will mark the first ever parliamentary inquiry into Birth Trauma and Birth Injuries in the UK.
According to NHS Resolution, maternity compensation claims actually represent the highest value and highest number of clinical claims? So why is it that the issue is a “real taboo”, as MP Theo Clarke, chair of the Birth Trauma inquiry says.
LegalExpert conducted an investigation into the issue to find out the mortality rates of mothers in the last three years as well as the amount of birth injuries they suffered. In addition, we asked about the amount of compensation each NHS trust had paid out in relation to such claims.
Birth Injuries UK
We submitted Freedom of Information Requests to all NHS Trusts in the UK and asked for data between 1 November 2021 to 1 November 2023.
We defined ‘birth injuries’ in terms of the most common types which are; brachial palsy, bruising or forceps marks, caput succedaneum, cephalohematoma, facial paralysis and subconjuctival haemorrhage.
We also spoke to the CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, Kim Thomas who said: “Birth trauma wasn’t talked about at all until relatively recently and many women tell us they were completely unaware of, for example, the possibility of sustaining injuries as a result of birth.
“We think this is partly because there is a widespread attitude that we shouldn’t make pregnant women feel frightened of labour, but also because there is a tendency to trivialise and ignore women’s health problems. When women do develop trauma symptoms after birth, they are often told by others to “move on” and to feel grateful that they have a healthy baby.”
LegalExpert’s Investigation revealed the latest figures for birth injuries across UK NHS Trusts, as well as how much compensation has been paid out to sufferers. See examples of our findings below, please check back as we update this page regularly with new data.
Frimley Health Trust
The NHS Trust in Surrey has paid out £35 million in birth injury compensation in the past two years, between November 2021 and November 2023.
During that time, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust saw 236 incidents of 3rd and 4th-degree tears and a further 95 cases of postpartum hemorrhage.
The trust paid out a total of £34,503,004 in birth injury compensation between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2023.
Liverpool Women’s NHS Trust
Liverpool Women’s NHS Trust has paid out £12 million in birth injury compensation in the past two years.
A total of £11,827,138 was handed out in obstetric claims between November 2021 and November 2023.
During that time, there were 289 birth injuries recorded which could include anything from 3rd or 4th degree tears and/or postpartum hemorrhage.
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
A West Yorkshire NHS Trust paid £15 million in birth injury compensation in the past two years.
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust confirmed it had paid a total of £15,152,542 in birth injury compensation (paid to the claimant alone) between November 2021 and November 2023.
The Trust also confirmed there were three mothers who died after giving birth during this time, although the causes have not been disclosed.
Wrighton, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£1.5million was paid out by a Wigan NHS Trust in birth injury compensation in the past two years.
Wrighton, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust paid £1,560,000 between November 2021 to November, 2023.
It also revealed that a total of 149 perineal tears were suffered by mothers following childbirth. Of those, 58 were first degree, 81 were second degree and 10 were third degree tears.
What’s more, around 30 women suffered pelvic fractures (this includes the public bone, coccyx or sacrum) during that time.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed it has paid out a total of £7,575,272 between November 2021 and November 2023.
The trust reported a total of 926 2nd, 3rd and 4th-degree tears suffered by mothers after giving birth during that time.
Second degree tears affect the muscle of the perineum and skin and usually require stitches. But 3rd and 4th degree tears are often far more serious.
