NHS negligence claims & furness hospital

Furness General Hospital is the subject of an investigation after thirty families filed legal action claiming that the hospital’s negligence was responsible for an overwhelming number of maternal and fetal deaths or injuries.

A team of fifteen detectives is investigating the deaths after the Care Quality Commission was accused of hindering investigations and covering up evidence of deficiencies in maternal care. Despite the suspicious deaths, the hospital was allowed to get foundation status. Now the patients and their families want an explanation.

Several reports have described the hospital’s management as dysfunctional. It is alleged that little care was given to establishing healthy practices and clinical leadership. Multiple doctors stated that their safety concerns were reported but ignored by managers.

Police are now considering filing corporate manslaughter cases against the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

John Cowdall of the Morecambe Bay Trust had this to say: “There is no denying that the trust has let women and their families down in the past and there are things that should have been done differently.”

“Although we can't change the past, the new trust board is determined that we can learn from it and we will ensure we continue to do so.”“Due to the ongoing police investigation into the deaths of babies and mothers following care received at Furness General Hospital, it would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases. We will continue to co-operate fully and openly with the police.”
 “The new trust board is resolute in its determination that this trust will never let anyone down again in the way it did in the past, and we will not accept second best for our patients.”
 
As of now, fourteen medical negligence claims have been awarded compensation.