It seems like only yesterday that I wrote an article about the late Nicky Newman’s campaign aiming to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and how to check your breasts. Sadly, Nicky lost her own battle with cancer in late 2023.  

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, towards the end of 2022 and into 2023, the UK saw a significant increase in invasive Group A Strep infections. This was widely reported in the press, and the concerns in relation to the spike in reported cases were raised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Erb’s Palsy, also called Brachial Plexus Paralysis, shoulder dystocia or Obstetric Brachial Palsy Injury, is an injury commonly caused to a baby during birth, where the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck after the head has been delivered (shoulder dystocia) and the brachial plexus nerves in the trapped shoulder are stretched and injured.

For many years we at Tozers have supported families affected by Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). HIE is a type of brain damage which is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain before or shortly after birth. We assist families to bring a claim for compensation where their child has developed physical and/or cognitive difficulties. 

At the end of 2023, the Care Quality Commission published reports that highlighted concerns about the safety standards of maternity units across the country.

On World Sepsis Day 2023, I wrote an article raising awareness of this devastating illness, and shared the work being courageously undertaken by Martha’s parents, after Martha sadly and avoidably lost her life to sepsis at just 13 years old.

Series 13 Episode 1 Whilst certainly not claiming to be a superfan I do occasionally catch an episode of the extremely popular historical drama “Call the midwife” set in London in the 1960s. On the evening of Sunday 7th January, whilst distracted doing something else, my attention was caught when one of the characters in the show began to describe how her daughter (now an adult, disabled and pregnant with her own child) had been injured herself during birth leading to her disability. 

Never events are serious, preventable patient safety incidents that should never happen in healthcare settings. 

We follow the latest findings from England’s healthcare regulator who have reported that the declining safety levels in maternity units across the country continue to be cause for concern. Recent analysis by the BBC of Care Quality Commission (CQC) reports revealed that two thirds of maternity care units are not safe enough.

In this article, written with a mother whose son suffered from a GBS infection shortly after birth, we look at what it is like to bring a case where your child has been affected by GBS.

Michelle Beckett reflects on the case of Mrs S, where sadly despite her reporting a breast lump and being seen by her GP on 3 occasions, the appropriate action was not taken until the 3rd appointment and it was argued that this negatively impacted on her long term treatment and prognosis.

In House of Commons today, 19 October 2023, will be the first ever debate in history on the topic of birth trauma.