East Kent inquiry: dozens of babies and mothers died or injured in childbirth

Damning report finds shocking and uncomfortable' failings at major NHS trust caused significant harm' to families

Dozens of babies and mothers died or were injured during childbirth because of repeated failings in maternity care at a major NHS trust, a damning report has found.

Dr Bill Kirkup, who led the investigation, said his findings into substandard care at the East Kent trust between 2009 and 2020 were shocking and uncomfortable" and had a catastrophic impact on families.

Squabbling between midwives, obstetricians, paediatricians and other groups of staff which involved factionalism, lack of mutual trust and ... bullying".

Junior obstetricians and midwives often got the blame for errors committed by more senior colleagues.

Midwives not part of the midwifery team's A-team" were given the highest-risk mothers to care for - a downright dangerous practice".

Mothers were given too little pain relief, ignored when they sought to raise concerns and spoken to with a lack of compassion, with one who had lost her baby told it's God's will; God only takes the babies that he wants to take".

Missed eight opportunities during 2009-20 to acknowledge the extent of problems and solve them.

Saw the trust as a victim" of external factors that were causing its poor maternity care, such as lack of staff and its coastal location, and did not see that the real causes were internal and involved failures in team-working, professionalism, compassion and listening".

Compounded families' suffering by not being open and honest.