The report comes after the trust was told by the CQC to make immediate improvements to its maternity and neonatal care and follows complaints by service users about inadequate maternity care.

Rachelle Mahapatra, medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, which is supporting families affected by failings, said: ‘It's imperative that when something goes wrong in the NHS, families are listened to, problems are analysed and reviewed – and any recommendations implemented to prevent the same mistakes happening time and time again.'

The damning report detailed a ‘challenging and negative culture' where fatigued staff did not feel their safety concerns were listened or responded too.

Rabina Tindale, chief nurse at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, apologised to families where maternity care had fallen short.

Tindale said the trust's ‘comprehensive improvement plan' was in place, including the recruitment of 55 midwives since autumn 2024 with a further 35 due to start in autumn 2025.

She said the trust was currently 11 midwives short of the nationally recommended target but continued to actively recruit, with additional midwifery leadership roles appointed to support clinical teams.

Tindale said culture concerns were being addressed through increasing the number of Freedom to Speak Up Champions, encouraging staff to report concerns and introducing regular ‘Time to Talk' meetings for each staff group, along with monthly open meetings with senior leadership.

In addition, she said infection control and cleanliness was being improved with greater presence of matrons on wards, visits and inspections to ward areas and the replacement of damaged furniture and equipment.

The trust said it was also establishing a Programme Board with the appointment of an independent chair ‘to create meaningful, lasting improvements focused on transforming our culture and leadership, providing safe and compassionate care for families, listening to staff and patients, and understanding the needs of our local communities'.