Blog
Enhancing Public Accountability: Key Elements of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2025
Kirsty Cook
10 September 2025
Kingsley Napley’s Medical Negligence Team ‘walks together’ with the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity
We were delighted to take part in a 15km walk on Saturday 6 September for the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity (DVLCC) to raise funds for this excellent cause.
27 February 2024
Sodium Valproate – the future of claims and compensation
Sodium valproate (brand names include Epilim and Depakote) is a drug to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder and migraines which, if taken in pregnancy, is associated with a significant risk of birth defects and developmental disorders often known as Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS).
19 September 2023
Birth Injury Claims: Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy
‘One of the most devastating complications that can result from medical mismanagement during labour and delivery is hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy’ (K McCombe and D G Bogod).
Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a term used to describe brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and / or a diminished amount of blood reaching a baby’s brain. HIE can occur during pregnancy, birth or shortly thereafter.
22 August 2023
James Bell speaks to LBC radio about the emerging NHS failings surrounding the Lucy Letby case
Kingsley Napley’s James Bell has been interviewed by Shelagh Fogarty on LBC radio to give his views, as head of clinical negligence, on shocking evidence that the NHS failed to respond sufficiently to concerns raised by staff - including consultants - regarding neonatal nurse Lucy Letby. Letby has been convicted of the murder of seven newborn babies and the attempted murders of six more. A number of surviving victims have been left with life changing disabilities, including cerebral palsy.
22 August 2023
Assessing newborn babies – some processes are ‘not fit-for-purpose’ for Black, Asian and ethnic minorities
Recent reports from the NHS Race and Health Observatory (an independent body created to examine ethnic inequalities), and the Government’s Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) highlight that ethnic minority babies are at a greater risk of inaccurate assessments, late diagnosis of conditions and poorer outcomes than white babies.
