I’m reaching out to provide you with an important update on our petition calling for improvements in maternity care across hospitals in Somerset, Dorset, and Devon.

 Thanks to your continued support, we’ve made remarkable progress in raising awareness and advocating for much-needed changes to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and babies in our region. However, there’s still much work to be done.

Through recent research, I’ve uncovered some alarming statistics that highlight the urgency of our cause:

In Somerset, NHS Trusts have faced substantial costs due to medical negligence claims, particularly in maternity care. Over the past year alone, Somerset’s primary hospital trust paid out a staggering £13.5 million in medical negligence claims.

Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has settled 12 maternity-related negligence claims between 2010 and 2023, each exceeding £1 million in damages. These settlements total approximately £41.76 million.

Dorset hospitals have also seen a significant financial impact, with Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust collectively paying out £28 million in maternity and childbirth-related claims. This highlights the critical need for enhanced safety and quality in maternity care throughout the region.

In Devon, the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has paid out approximately £23.46 million in damages related to maternity negligence. This figure covers 23 settled claims.

As I continue my research, I’ve come across several public stories that emphasize the deep impact these failures have on families. If you or anyone you know has experienced challenges with maternity care in these hospitals, I encourage you to get in touch with me.

Here’s how you can continue to support this cause:

Keep Sharing: The more signatures we gather, the stronger our case becomes. Please share the petition on social media and encourage others to sign it.

Tell Your Story: If you or someone you know has faced issues with maternity care in these hospitals, sharing your experience can bring even more attention to this cause. You can reach out to me via email at annietombs567@icloud.com or connect with me on Facebook.

Together, we are making a meaningful impact, and I’m incredibly grateful for your support so far. The path to better maternity care is long, but with your help, we are pushing for vital changes that will ultimately benefit countless families.

Thank you once again for your dedication to this important cause.