Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid more than £23 million in compensation for birth injury claims over the past five years, underscoring growing concerns about maternity care quality both locally and across England.
Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests reveals that between 2020 and 2025, the trust settled 29 out of 56 claims related to birth injuries. The predominant issue cited was the requirement for additional surgeries, reported in nine cases. Notably, the financial impact peaked during the 2023/24 fiscal year, when payouts reached £16.2 million—the highest annual figure within the five-year timeframe. Overall, the trust’s settlement payments totalled £23,616,054.
A spokesperson for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust emphasised their commitment to delivering high standards of patient care and robust governance. They stated, “When care falls short, we diligently investigate incidents, identify necessary changes, and implement lessons learned, including enhanced training to improve services.”
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Medical negligence solicitor Gareth Lloyd of JF Law highlighted the profound consequences of poor maternity care, describing birth injuries as often life-altering for both babies and their families. “The NHS routinely pays millions in compensation each year for avoidable injuries sustained by mothers and newborns due to substandard care,” he said. “Improper delivery can lead to severe outcomes that affect the entire family’s wellbeing.”
Common injuries reported in these claims included those resulting from oxygen deprivation—such as cerebral palsy and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy—alongside bone fractures and brachial plexus nerve damage affecting the neck and shoulder areas. Factors contributing to these injuries ranged from prolonged labour and delivery trauma to fetal malposition and maternal conditions like diabetes or infections.
This situation at Somerset mirrors a national trend where NHS trusts face a record surge in maternity-related legal claims. According to NHS Resolution, 5,991 obstetric negligence claims were filed nationwide from 2020 to 2025, with 2,955 settlements resulting in over £2.2 billion paid out.
The urgency to address these issues prompted Health Secretary Wes Streeting to commission a national investigation into maternity care standards after reports showed that two-thirds of NHS maternity units were rated “inadequate” or “requiring improvement.”
Reflecting on this broader context, Gareth Lloyd remarked, “Recent years have seen numerous scandals highlighting poor maternity care, with heartbreaking cases of preventable harm to mothers and babies. Though pursuing birth injury claims can be emotionally challenging, it is crucial to hold healthcare providers accountable to secure the long-term support families need.”