The National Health Service (NHS) in England is grappling with an unprecedented £27 billion bill due to maternity care failings, according to recent analyses. This staggering figure, which has emerged from a series of hospital scandals, far exceeds the NHS's maternity budget for the same period. The revelations have prompted a national inquiry into the quality of maternity care across the country.

Rising Legal Claims and Costs

Since 2019, the number of legal claims related to obstetrics errors has surged to nearly 1,400 annually, doubling since 2007. These claims have highlighted severe shortcomings in maternity care, resulting in numerous deaths and life-altering conditions for mothers and babies. NHS Resolution, the body responsible for handling negligence claims, reported that maternity-related claims now constitute nearly two-thirds of its total clinical negligence liabilities, amounting to £37.5 billion.

Financial and Human Impact

The financial burden of these claims is compounded by the NHS's legal expenses, which have reached £24.6 million over the past six years for cases that did not result in compensation. Labour MP Paulette Hamilton described the situation as "absolutely shocking," emphasizing the devastating impact on families and the health service. Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt expressed his dismay, stating, "It should be a matter of national shame that we now spend more on maternity litigation than the total cost of running maternity services."

Calls for Reform

Critics, including Jess Brown-Fuller of the Liberal Democrats, have accused the government of neglecting maternity services, leading to a crisis that has deeply affected families and the NHS. The £27.4 billion estimate for maternity claims underscores the urgent need for systemic reform. NHS Resolution noted that the figure could fluctuate, as there is often a three-year delay between incidents and legal claims, with serious birth injuries resulting in long-term payments.