§ NHS · MATERNITY · 2024/25
NHS maternity claims,
where they hit hardest.
Obstetric claims account for approximately 43% of all NHS negligence payments despite representing a much smaller proportion of total claims.
Obstetric claims
967
Total paid
£1.2B
Avg per claim
£1.3M
Of total NHS payouts
43%
Maternity Negligence Payouts at Record Levels
Obstetric CP/BD payments have grown from £231.0M in 2006/07 to £1.1B in 2024/25. More maternity claims are being settled — 1,253 in 2024/25, up from 841 in 2006/07.
Record payout
£1.1B
In 2024/25
Share of all NHS
43%
Of total negligence payments
Claims settled
1,253
Up from 841 in 2006/07
Cerebral Palsy & Brain Damage vs Other Claims
Claims involving cerebral palsy and brain damage are few in number but represent the highest-value claims in the entire NHS system. A single CP/BD case can result in payouts exceeding £10 million for lifetime care costs.
Cerebral palsy & brain damage
Other obstetric claims
Neonatal cerebral palsy & brain damage
Other neonatal claims
How Maternity Compares to All NHS Claims
Maternity-related claims (obstetrics + neonatology) vs all other specialties combined.
Maternity total
£1.3B
43% of all NHS payments
All other specialties
£1.7B
57% of all NHS payments
Maternity share
43%
Of total NHS negligence payments
Maternity Trusts Ranked by Obstetric Payments
NHS trusts with maternity services, ranked by total obstetric negligence payments in 2024/25.
Source: NHS Resolution Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25. Data covers the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST), Existing Liabilities Scheme (ELS), and Risk Pooling Scheme for Trusts (RPST). This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.