Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust have been fined £800,000 by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for failing to provide safe care to baby Wynter Andrews in 2019 which led to her tragic death. This is the largest fine to be imposed on an NHS Trust due to negligence in maternity care.
Baby Wynter tragically died 23 minutes after she was born following a Caesarean section in September 2019 at the QMC in Nottingham.
A criminal prosecution was brought by the CQC following an Inquest into baby Wynter’s death and the Trust pleaded guilty to a catalogue of systemic failings which exposed her and her mother to a significant risk of avoidable harm.
The unprecedented fine and criminal prosecution comes against the background of the ongoing Ockenden Review, in which there are over 1,000 families participating in an investigation into maternity care in the UK.
The scale of the recent fine is indicative of a much wider problem within maternity units and it seems that without radical changes, it is likely that we will see other cases like that of baby Wynter, with very similar catastrophic consequences for families.
What To Do Next
If you or a family member think that you may have suffered clinical negligence, either during pregnancy, childbirth or afterwards, there may be a claim for compensation. We are empathetic and experienced lawyers who can guide you through the process, whilst providing you with the support you deserve to come to terms with your grief or injuries you have sustained.
For a free and confidential discussion about whether you may have a claim for clinical negligence, please get in touch with our experts at clinnegenquiryteam@tayloremmet.co.uk or call 0114 218 4000.