Kris Pugh
Leading law firm Lanyon Bowdler has strengthened its award-winning clinical negligence team with the appointment of a new medical legal assistant – a registered midwife with more than 30 years experience.
The appointment comes as many maternity services across the country are under increasing pressure, and in the wake of a review into claims of care failures at Shropshire’s Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal hospitals.
Kris Pugh will be based at Hereford but will also be working closely with the firm’s clinical negligence lawyers across Shropshire and North Wales.
Kay Kelly, a Partner with Lanyon Bowdler and head of the firm’s clinical negligence team, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kris to Lanyon Bowdler. She will add further specialist knowledge to our already highly respected clinical negligence team and will be invaluable in helping with cases involving maternity services.
“Kris has been a registered midwife for 32 years, working in an NHS hospital setting. Prior to that she worked as an A&E nurse in Liverpool so brings a wealth of experience to the firm which will be of significant benefit to our clients.
“Although Kris will be based in Hereford, we work very closely as one team and she will be providing her valuable input and supporting us in our work with clients across Shropshire, North Wales and Hereford and Worcester.
“The appointment strengthens our in-house medical team who work very closely with our lawyers and we are in the fortunate position of being able to draw on the experience and advice of a nurse, doctor and now a midwife.”
Lanyon Bowdler was named as the national Clinical Negligence Team of the Year at last year’s Proclaim Eclipse Personal Injury Awards, which recognise high standards of practice in personal injury and clinical negligence legal work.
Kris said: “I am really looking forward to the new challenge and working for such a highly respected firm as Lanyon Bowdler. I am confident the experience I have gained over the last 32 years will help the clinical negligence team and I look forward to sharing in that success.
“Maternity services have been very much in the headlines for some time now as many hospitals and health trusts try to come to terms with the ever-increasing pressures.
“Sadly, we are seeing an ongoing review into claims of maternity care failures at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, with more than 200 families coming forward with their stories and concerns.
“And only last month, reports surfaced nationally of the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant and the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil hitting the headlines after a major independent review found the Cwm Taf Health Board’s maternity services ‘under extreme pressure’ with the Health Minister ordering them be put into special measures.
“It is clearly a widespread issue and one that needs to be addressed. Hospitals and trusts are working under increasingly difficult circumstances but the health and welfare of mothers and their babies must be safeguarded at all times.”
