Hundreds of babies are left brain-damaged each year because the NHS does not learn from its mistakes

The number of compensation claims for cerebral palsy and brain damage sustained at birth has barely changed since 2006/07. Obstetrics claims account for 41 per cent of the value of compensation claims for medical negligence against the NHS.

It is not acceptable that the NHS still harms around 200 new mothers and babies each year, particularly when it is down to errors which should not happen, but which continue to happen time after time and year after year.

Case reports reveal repeated failures in monitoring fetal heartbeat during labour, missed warning signs, delays in delivery and unreasonable use of forceps.