Tue, 13 Nov 2018
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is hosting a free seminar this month which will examine the use of cardiotocography in litigation related to adverse perinatal outcomes.
The seminar, to be held on Thursday, November 29, at No5 Barristers’ Chambers’ London offices, is being led by Mamta Gupta, who is part of the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Group.
The seminar, titled CTG Traces: The Fundamentals for Every Medical Negligence Lawyer in Obstetric Casework, will look at the value and challenges of CTG traces both in medical practice and in medical negligence casework.
The seminar aims to provide practitioners with an overview of CTGs to assist with risk assessment of cases and the application and interpretation of CTGs in inquest work. It will also look at drafting instructions and asking specific questions of obstetric and midwifery experts and facilitate a greater understanding of expert evidence.
Mamta said: “Uncertainty is part and parcel of CTG traces and therefore the scope for error can make clinical negligence claims challenging.
“The doctor’s or midwife’s clinical notes are not sufficient; practitioners must consider the CTG traces themselves. We aim to focus on exactly what cardiotocography is and its uses.
“Lawyers are advised to leave the interpretation of CTG traces to their instructed experts. Experts will be looking at the traces when considering the standard of care provided and whether there were signs of foetal compromise which should have prompted earlier or later action in relation to delivery.
“Despite its limitations and scope for error, CTG traces are here for the foreseeable future. There is not currently a more effective way of monitoring foetal wellbeing and therefore doctors, nurses and lawyers will need to continue to rely upon them and endeavour to interpret them.”
To view Mamta Gupta’s profile, please visit: https://www.no5.com/barristers/barrister-details/381-mamta-gupta/
