| Thursday 29 September 2022 Sara Ledger, Head of Research and Development at Baby Lifeline, said: “The statistics included in NHS Resolution’s ‘The second report: The evolution of the Early Notification Scheme’ are shocking. Obstetric claims remain the largest cost to the NHS in terms of the total value of claims. In 2021/22, the cost of obstetric claims was estimated at 62% of the total value of clinical negligence claims dealt with by NHS Resolution. “While Baby Lifeline fully supports NHS Resolution’s Early Notification Scheme and its commitment to providing more caring and rapid responses to families of babies who have experienced severe brain injury at birth, we are calling for proper investment so that fewer people are harmed at the very beginning of their lives. “There needs to be greater investment and support for those working on the frontline in maternity services. Today’s report offers yet another opportunity for learning, we need to see that being translated into action. “At Baby Lifeline, we know that providing high quality care and reducing avoidable harm requires a significant commitment to supporting the workforce with fundamentals like high quality, relevant training and safe staffing. “We work closely with, and listen to, the needs of professionals working on the frontline, like midwives, obstetricians, paramedics, and anaesthetists, and far more needs to be done at a national level.” More on ‘The second report: The evolution of the Early Notification Scheme’ The report has been published by NHS Resolution today, Thursday 29 September. More on The Early Notification Scheme Traditional claims processes for the families of babies that have experienced a severe brain injury are long. Families have often faced years of financial uncertainty and struggle. With the development of its Early Notification (EN) Scheme, NHS Resolution is trying to address these issues and aiming to meet the needs of families more adequately and quickly at this most difficult time. |
