Mid and South Essex maternity claims Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

The Care Quality Commission published inspection reports in January 2025 rating maternity services at Southend and Basildon Hospitals as ‘requires improvement’. 

Key concerns included:

• Reports of inadequate fetal monitoring at Basildon Hospital put the safety of mothers and babies at risk.
• A lack of hot water in parts of Southend’s maternity unit prevented patients from showering or opting for water births.
• Leaders did not always have clear oversight of care quality at Basildon and there was irregular attendance at weekly oversight meetings in Southend.
• Some policies at Southend were outdated and failed to reflect current best practice, including guidance on safe staffing levels.

You may have a claim if you or your baby suffered harm as a result of care that fell below an acceptable standard at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. This might include failures in fetal monitoring, delays in responding to complications, or poor clinical decision-making.

You do not need to be certain that negligence occurred before speaking to us. We offer a free initial case assessment and will give you an honest view of whether your situation could give rise to a claim. There is no obligation to proceed.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the negligent treatment – or from the date you became aware that something may have gone wrong – to bring a claim. For children, the three-year period does not start until their 18th birthday, which means a claim can be brought on their behalf at any time before then, or by the individual themselves up to their 21st birthday.

If you are unsure whether you are within the time limit, it is always worth contacting us. Time limits can be complex, and the sooner you speak to us, the more options we are likely to have.

When you first contact our team, we will provide a free initial case assessment to understand what happened and whether you have a claim. If your claim is eligible, we will begin a detailed investigation on your behalf.

As part of our investigation, we will gather all relevant evidence and documentation, identify the parties responsible for the failings, and assess the nature and extent of any injuries and losses.

Once your case progresses, our team will enter negotiations with the other side to reach a fair and appropriate settlement. If an agreement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court. When a resolution is reached, we will arrange for your compensation to be paid.

Yes. As a parent or guardian, you can bring a claim on behalf of a child who was harmed during birth or maternity care. A child’s claim does not become time-barred until their 21st birthday, but it is almost always better to begin the process as early as possible. Early action means evidence is easier to gather and your child can access specialist support and interim payments sooner.

Our specialist birth injury team will handle every aspect of your case, keeping you informed and supported throughout. We work with leading independent medical experts to build a clear and comprehensive picture of what happened and the impact on your family.

Where possible, we will apply for interim payments during the claims process, so your family does not have to wait until the end of the case to access the care and equipment you need. We also offer access to a BSL interpreter through the SignVideo platform for clients with hearing difficulties.

We are supporting a number of families affected by maternity failings at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. Bringing claims as a group can bring greater strength, visibility and impact – and may help drive wider improvements in maternity care. However, each individual case is assessed and pursued on its own merits, and your specific circumstances and needs will always remain our focus.