Local Lawyer Speaks At National Stillbirth Event
Claire Stoneman from South West law firm Foot Anstey is speaking at the national Sands’ AGM (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) on how the law can help improve health care and reduce deaths.
Sands supports anyone affected by a baby’s death, including stillbirth and death during or soon after birth.
The meeting is part of the 3rd International Stillbirth Alliance Conference to be held in Birmingham on 29th September to 2nd October when researchers, clinicians, health care professionals, bereaved families, and support organisations from many different countries will discuss improving care and preventing perinatal deaths.
Claire Stoneman handles a wide range of medical claims but specialises in paediatric cardiac surgery, stillbirths and neonatal deaths and brain injury cases. Foot Anstey, unlike many other firms, offer this specialist advice to individuals under the legal aid scheme as well as No Win No Fee, Before the Event Insurance and on a private paying basis.
Claire Stoneman who deals with queries from bereaved parents who have contacted the Sands’ helpline said “The relationship between Foot Anstey and Sands developed after I represented the Bristol Heart Children Action Group at the Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry into paediatric cardiac surgery and then acted for families in the organ retention litigation. These cases changed public awareness of the NHS making it far more accountable.
“I developed a professional interest in Sands and had witnessed first hand the good work that it had carried out. Since becoming a member of Sands 4 years ago, I have advised them on their Guidelines for Professionals and our Charities team have assisted them with their new constitution.
“As medical lawyers we do help in raising the standards of care within the NHS. Often our clients are told, during the complaints process, that there was no substandard treatment only to find this is not the case when we investigate. Following investigations we often request and obtain the introduction of new Protocols regarding treatment and assurances relating to training of staff to ensure that these mistakes do not occur again.
“Most clients are not looking for financial compensation but are seeking information, answers and reassurances so that lessons are learned and future care improved. In this way, our aims match those of Sands.”
For more information on the conference see www.isa2007.com
Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity was established by bereaved parents in 1975 and obtained charity status in 1981.
Sands core aims are to:
• Support anyone affected by the death of a baby;
• To work in partnership with health professionals to improve the quality of care and services offered to bereaved families; and
• To promote research and changes in practice that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives
Helpline: 020 7436 5881
Office: 020 7436 7940
Web: www.uk-sands.org
E mail: support@uk-sands.org
