NHS trust admits 'failing families' over stillbirths
Summary
An NHS trust in East Kent, UK, apologized after a review found that eight babies who were stillborn between June 2025 and March 2026 might have survived with better care. The review identified repeated problems in how high-risk pregnancies, fetal growth checks, and maternity services were handled. Despite previous warnings, more stillbirths happened, prompting further investigation.Key Facts
- Eight stillbirths occurred at East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust from June 2025 to March 2026.
- The trust admitted failings and apologized to affected families.
- Problems included poor management of high-risk pregnancies, fetal monitoring, and use of interpreter services.
- Since the report, seven more stillbirths have happened, with three occurring in August 2026 alone.
- The babies all died after 34 weeks of pregnancy.
- A similar report three years ago found 45 babies might have survived with better care at the same trust.
- The trust runs two hospitals: William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.
- The trust is implementing recommendations to improve care for pregnant women at high risk.
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