Leeds NHS Trust Repays Nearly £5 Million for Misrepresented Maternity Care
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been forced to repay nearly £5 million after wrongly claiming it provided safe maternity care. The trust received the funds through the Maternity Incentive Scheme, designed to reward hospitals meeting safety standards, but a subsequent investigation revealed discrepancies in their submissions.
The Maternity Incentive Scheme
The Maternity Incentive Scheme, run by NHS Resolution, aims to encourage good maternity care within the NHS. Hospitals self-assess their performance against ten safety measures, including patient care, adequate staffing, and thorough investigation of deaths. Meeting these standards entitles trusts to rebates on insurance premiums and a share of funds from underperforming trusts.
Leeds Trust's False Claims and CQC Report
For two years, the Leeds trust reported meeting all ten safety standards, receiving £4,887,084 from the scheme. However, a damning report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in June rated the trust's maternity services as "inadequate," the lowest level, and warned of "significant risk" to women and babies. This prompted NHS Resolution to investigate the trust's claims.
The Repayment and Calls for Inquiry
Following the CQC report, NHS Resolution requested a re-examination of the Leeds trust's submissions. The review revealed that not all safety standards had been met, leading to the demand for full repayment. Fiona Winser-Ramm, who lost her daughter due to "gross failures" in care at the trust, stated that the repayment was "long overdue" and called for a "full, independent inquiry" led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden.
Families' Demand for Investigation
Mrs. Winser-Ramm is among a group of parents who met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, urging him to launch an investigation into the trust's maternity services. While Streeting has so far refused to order such an inquiry, the families remain hopeful. Dozens of families have reported receiving inadequate care at the trust over the past few months.
Moving Forward
The Leeds trust has stated that it has allocated additional funding to improve its maternity services, but the families affected are demanding further action and a full investigation to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies. The situation highlights the importance of accurate self-reporting and rigorous oversight in ensuring patient safety within the NHS.
