New death at maternity ward where 10 others lost their lives

An inquiry has been launched after a mother died at a maternity unit where 10 others lost their lives. The woman, in her twenties, is believed to have collapsed after suffering rare complications during childbirth.

Standards of maternity care at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow were severely criticised after 10 mothers died in three years following a string of errors. Investigators from the Healthcare
Commission found the death rate was at least six times the national average and put the hospital on special measures. It was taken out of the category last year when officials said standards at the unit had improved, with £19 million
of investment and extra staff.

Doctors say the latest death will raise questions about the availability of emergency help. One of the criticisms of the original investigation was the hospital's ability to recognise and respond to emergencies.

A doctor, who did not want to be named, said: "There is a lot of anxiety over the fact that we've had another maternal death. Any investigation will want to be satisfied that staff acted promptly and were properly trained to
deal with such an emergency."

The woman, who has not been identified, is thought to have suffered an extremely rare amniotic fluid embolism last week. It occurs when a tear in the foetal sac damages blood vessels surrounding the womb, allowing amniotic fluid to escape into the mother's blood. This can trigger heart and lung collapse and stop blood clotting. The condition can be fatal but studies show that up 70 per cent of women who develop the condition
may survive. They also show drug-induced labours are at greater risk. It is not known if the child survived.

Mr Patrick O'Brien, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "Amniotic fluid embolism is very difficult to deal with once it happens. It happens very suddenly, can be potentially disastrous and as a doctor it is a very challenging situation."

A spokesman for the hospital said: "We can confirm there was a maternal death at Northwick Park Hospital on 18 September. We have expressed our deepest condolences to the patient's family and are carrying out an internal investigation. The matter has also been referred to the coroner."

The tragedy comes as new figures show that the NHS is facing a £4.5 billion compensation bill over alleged blunders that have left babies brain damaged.

Statistics from the NHS Litigation Authority today reignited concerns that maternity services are failing mothers and babies. They reveal that the service is facing claims worth £3.3 billion from parents whose children developed cerebral
palsy, often caused by oxygen starvation. A further £739 million involves complaints over "other brain damage".

An obstetrician who led the review into Northwick Park Hospital, said under-staffed wards may be to blame. Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, head of obstetrics at St George's Hospital in Tooting and
incoming president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said up to half of maternity units do not have enough consultants.