Helen Caulfield

Shoulder dystocia during a vaginal birth is considered an obstetric emergency, as the potential consequences for both mother and baby can be devastating. The complication arises if a baby’s shoulder gets lodged in the mother’s pelvis...

There has been much in the media recently about the problems and alleged failings with maternity care at Shrewsbury & Telford NHS Trust. Issues have arisen that suggest long term difficulties at the Trust from the 1990's until just a...

Those who have suffered serious injury as a result of clinical negligence may not initially feel that legal advice is a priority. Coping with the effects of injuries may dominate the lives of the injured person and family members. Later, when questions...

Where there are problems at the time of childbirth, the focus is often, and understandably, the potential impact upon the health of the child. However, it is important to remember the potential impact that negligent care can have on the...

Media portrayal of the financial plight of the NHS, and of cases where millions are awarded to victims of clinical negligence, can raise concern amongst the public. Those who rely upon the NHS for all aspects of medical care from cradle to grave...

In good, modern, medical practice patients are routinely advised of their options for treatment, and the pros and cons of each. This allows patients to opt for the level of intervention that is right for them. In theory this should...

Thousands of elderly people receiving care at home are not being given enough to eat or drink, according to new research. An estimated 40,000 older people say meals are inadequate, or provided very late in the day, leading to worries they are becoming...

Patients who have concerns about medical treatment may opt to follow a complaints process, or seek legal advice. Many opt to do both. At a difficult and often distressing time patients and their families understandably want to make sure they have...

What happened at Mid Staffs between 2005 and 2009 was failure at all levels, affecting thousands of patients and leading to "appalling and unnecessary suffering". There was a wholesale "lack of care, compassion, humanity and leadership"....