Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) is one of 14 specific NHS trusts undergoing investigation.
It is part of the Government’s rapid national investigation into maternity and neonatal services.
Baroness Amos will be looking at the experiences of families and identify lessons learned to improve safety and care across England.
A previous CQC review showing that 47 per cent of maternity services in England were rated as requiring improvement for safety.
Professor Mel Pickup, chief of BTHFT, said she and the Trust “fully support the aim of the investigation”.
Professor Mel Pickup, chief of BTHFT(Image: )
MPs spoke on the issue as part of a session in the House of Commons earlier this week on baby loss. Some members shared their own grief and experiences.
It came during national Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Speaking in Parliament, Bradford West MP Naz Shah (Labour) said: “In Bradford, we have seen the devastating impact when maternity care falls short.
“In November 2021, two newborn babies tragically lost their lives at Bradford royal infirmary after lapses in hygiene allowed a drug-resistant superbug to spread through the neonatal unit.
Bradford West MP Naz Shah(Image: Newsquest)
“These were preventable deaths, heartbreaking for the families involved.
“I welcome the measures that the trust has since put in place, but we must ensure that lessons are truly learned so that no family ever has to endure such pain again.
“In Bradford, a mother gave birth to her son on 13 February 2023. Sadly, he passed away the next day. She was moved between units with little communication and no explanation of what was happening. She was not offered a transfer to another trust where her baby might have received neonatal care and a chance of survival. Her son was born alive but died in her arms, and her records were later found to wrongly describe the loss as a miscarriage. No mother should have to endure such failings.
“In describing what she went through, she said: ‘My experience at Bradford Hospital’s maternity unit destroyed me. My son died after birth. I nearly died myself, but they didn’t care. They sent me home the same day he died, even though I had clear signs of infection. I left that hospital with not just empty arms, but with a body that has never been the same. Now all I have is a baby I can visit at the graveyard and a lifetime of pain that they caused’.
“In my own constituency, I have consistently advocated the concern about the standards of maternity services and the leadership at the Bradford Teaching Hospital Trust.
“On new year’s eve last year, a couple from Bradford were wrongly told that their unborn baby had died. The day after, she was delivered fit and healthy. Jamal and his wife Fozia were told by doctors that there was no heartbeat when they went for a routine test. They described their experience as going through hell and back.
“I have written to the Secretary of State, and I am glad that he is taking notice.
“I welcome the maternity review being led by Baroness Amos, but lessons must be learned. The failures at Bradford really need to stop, so that nobody goes through such experiences again.”
Professor Mel Pickup, Chief Executive for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We fully support the aim of the investigation, that will have families at its heart, to develop one set of national recommendations to drive improvements in maternity and neonatal services across England.
“We recognise the sense of loss of families across the country that will be taking part in the investigation, who have sadly lost their children or have experienced harm when accessing care.
“Every year thousands of women give birth in our hospitals and community, and we want each and every one of those women to receive excellent care and have a positive experience with us. “In the majority of cases this is happening, but not always and we know that isn’t good enough.
“We are committed to the wellbeing of families using our service and delivering the highest quality of care. We welcome the opportunity of taking part in the national investigation to learn, improve and contribute to broader change.
“Our maternity and neonatal services are led by dedicated and passionate colleagues who work hard to deliver the best possible care. Over the past 24 months the improvements we have made have been recognised by the CQC as well as through other independent external reviews.
“It is important that people continue to come forward for care. If anyone has any concerns please talk to our midwives and maternity teams.”