NHS trust admits 'failing families' over stillbirths
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust has issued a formal apology after an independent review linked systemic failures to the stillbirths of eight babies. The trust is now investigating a further seven recent stillbirths as it struggles to address long-standing maternity care deficiencies.
Why it matters
This highlights critical failures in public healthcare systems and the ongoing challenge of ensuring patient safety in maternity wards.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The stillbirths all occurred at the East Kent NHS trust between June 2025 and March 2026
An NHS trust has apologised after an independent review found that eight babies might have survived with better maternity care, admitting it has "failed families".
The stillbirths all occurred at the East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust's hospitals between June 2025 and March 2026.
An independent review ordered by the trust found systemic issues lay at the heart of the failures. These included failures to manage high risk pregnancies, provide appropriate triage, identify foetal growth concerns, and make appropriate use of interpreter services.
Since the report, a further seven stillbirths have occurred, including three last month. A review into those deaths has now been ordered.
All the stillbirths occurred after 34 weeks gestation.
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