AI programme accused of missing complaints in Oxford maternity inquiry

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 16:39 · Archive

An AI programme used to summarise testimony in a national maternity inquiry allegedly failed to capture crucial evidence and mothers' complaints about Oxford University Hospitals' services. The campaign group Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services has called for an independent investigation after the AI reportedly failed to 'capture the complexity of families' accounts and the recurring patterns of harm described.'

The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation found OUH's maternity departments to be institutionally arrogant, with unsustainable staffing levels, though frontline staff were praised for their dedication. More than 10,500 submissions were given to the inquiry, including testimonies from mothers who suffered harm during childbirth. Among the evidence were 40 pages of accounts from women who suffered harm at OUH, with the first page containing two mentions of normal birth ideology and examples of women being told to 'trust their body' or have a 'normal birth at all costs'.

Concerns about the use of AI in the inquiry have been raised in an open letter to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper. The campaign group argues Oxford is being treated differently to other areas such as Leeds and Sussex, which received localised independent investigations. The group is calling for an independent investigation with human and senior-level oversight to 'accurately capture failures and prevent future harm to women and babies in Oxfordshire'.

How it is being reported

• AI blamed for erasing Oxford mothers' complaints about NHS maternity treatmentAn AI program allegedly missed crucial evidence and mothers complaints in a national inquiry into maternity services.Oxfordshire Guardian · 2 Nov, 16:00
• AI blamed for erasing Oxford mothers' complaints about NHS maternity treatmentAn AI program allegedly missed crucial evidence and mothers complaints in a national inquiry into maternity services.Oxford Mail · 2 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services · Oxford University Hospitals · Yvette Cooper · Oxford · Leeds · Sussex · Horton General Hospital

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log