Barking, Havering, Redbridge NHS Trust Called to Spot PAS, East London 2026

Key Points

• An East London hospital specialist, Dr Chineze Otigbah, appeared on national television to urge the NHS to enhance diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), a potentially fatal childbirth complication.
• Amisha Adhia, a mother who personally experienced PAS during her second pregnancy, joined Dr Otigbah on Sky News on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to share her story.
• Dr Otigbah, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist affiliated with Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHR Hospitals), identified PAS in Amisha Adhia’s case, ultimately saving both mother and baby.
• PAS is a serious condition where the placenta abnormally attaches to the womb and fails to separate after birth, posing life-threatening risks if not detected early.
• The discussion highlighted the need for greater NHS awareness and screening protocols to spot PAS sooner, amid concerns over rising incidence rates.
• The Sky News appearance was framed as a call to action for BHR Hospitals and the wider NHS to prioritise PAS diagnosis in maternity services.
• Amisha Adhia’s survival underscores the critical role of timely specialist intervention in high-risk pregnancies.

Barking (East London Times) February 25, 2026 – An obstetric specialist from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust has used national television to press the NHS for improved detection of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), a grave childbirth complication that can prove fatal. Dr Chineze Otigbah, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Trust, appeared alongside patient Amisha Adhia on Sky News on February 18, 2026. Adhia, who endured PAS during her second pregnancy, credited Dr Otigbah’s diagnosis with saving her life and her baby’s.

What is Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS)?

PAS represents a range of disorders where the placenta attaches too deeply to the uterine wall, refusing to detach post-delivery. As defined in the Sky News broadcast,

“PAS occurs when the placenta abnormally attaches to the womb and fails to separate after birth,”

leading to severe haemorrhage risks. Dr Chineze Otigbah explained during the segment that early detection via ultrasound and specialist review remains pivotal, yet under-diagnosed in many cases.

The condition’s severity stems from its potential for uncontrollable bleeding, hysterectomy, or maternal mortality.

According to the original Sky News report, PAS incidence has climbed with rising caesarean rates, affecting roughly 1 in 500 pregnancies in high-risk groups. Dr Otigbah stressed that BHR Hospitals’ protocols emphasise multidisciplinary care, but national guidelines require bolstering.

Who is Amisha Adhia and What Was Her Experience?

Amisha Adhia, the east London mother at the heart of this story, faced PAS in her second pregnancy, transforming a routine delivery into a near-tragedy.

As featured on Sky News on February 18, 2026, Adhia recounted her ordeal, stating her relief at Dr Otigbah’s intervention. The specialist’s identification of abnormal placental attachment prompted a planned caesarean, averting emergency complications.

Adhia’s testimony lent a personal dimension to the broadcast, amplifying calls for NHS vigilance. She described initial symptoms like persistent pain and bleeding, initially dismissed, until Dr Otigbah’s expertise intervened. Her healthy baby and recovery highlight successful outcomes when PAS is spotted promptly, yet Adhia urged wider awareness to spare others her trauma.

Who is Dr Chineze Otigbah and What Did She Say?

Dr Chineze Otigbah, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, emerged as the story’s key voice. In the Sky News interview on February 18, 2026, Dr Otigbah declared,

“The NHS must do more to diagnose PAS early – it’s a potentially fatal condition that’s on the rise.”

She detailed BHR Hospitals’ role in Adhia’s care, where ultrasound anomalies led to swift action.

Dr Otigbah advocated for enhanced training and screening across maternity units, noting,

“We saved Amisha and her baby through vigilance, but too many cases go undetected.”

Her national platform positioned BHR Hospitals as a leader in PAS management, while critiquing systemic gaps. As a Trust specialist, her comments directly implicated Barking and Redbridge services in the push for reform.

Why Did They Appear on Sky News?

The Sky News appearance on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, united Adhia and Dr Otigbah to spotlight PAS amid growing maternity safety concerns.

The segment, aired nationally, aimed to educate clinicians and expectant mothers alike. As per the broadcast, their tandem narrative – patient survival paired with expert insight – sought to catalyse NHS policy shifts.

Producers framed it as a “call to spot PAS,” aligning with BHR Hospitals’ expertise in high-risk obstetrics. Dr Otigbah’s involvement underscored the Trust’s frontline role, while Adhia’s story humanised the risks. The timing, mid-2026, followed reports of maternity reviews, amplifying urgency.

What Risks Does PAS Pose During Childbirth?

PAS imperils mothers through massive postpartum haemorrhage, often necessitating emergency hysterectomy. Sky News quoted medical consensus: failure to detach triggers blood loss exceeding safe limits, with mortality rates up to 7% in severe cases. Dr Otigbah elaborated,

“Without diagnosis, it’s catastrophic – but planned delivery mitigates this.”

Associated dangers include organ damage, infection, and neonatal distress if preterm caesarean is required. Adhia’s case exemplified milder accreta, yet spectrum variants like percreta invade bladder or bowel. BHR Hospitals’ data, implied in Dr Otigbah’s remarks, shows rising referrals, tied to prior surgeries.

How Does BHR NHS Trust Handle PAS Cases?

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust leads in PAS care via its tertiary referral model. Dr Chineze Otigbah, as reported on Sky News, oversees a team employing MRI and Doppler ultrasound for confirmation.

The Trust’s protocol mandates consultant-led reviews for at-risk women – those with prior caesareans or IVF.

In Adhia’s instance, early flagging enabled a controlled section at Queen’s Hospital, Romford. Dr Otigbah affirmed, “Our multidisciplinary approach – surgeons, anaesthetists, blood bank – ensures best outcomes.” Yet she called for Trust-wide scaling to match demand.

What Has the NHS Said About PAS Diagnosis?

The NHS acknowledges PAS challenges, with national guidelines urging risk screening. However, Dr Otigbah critiqued implementation on Sky News:

“More must be done – screening isn’t uniform.” The RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) backs her, recommending ultrasound at 20 weeks for high-risk cases.

No direct Trust response post-broadcast emerged, but BHR Hospitals’ maternity dashboard highlights PAS audits. Adhia echoed, “Spot it sooner to save lives,” aligning with NHS England’s maternity transformation drive.

Why Is PAS Incidence Rising in East London?

Prior caesareans, now over 30% nationally, fuel PAS surges, per Sky News analysis. East London’s diverse demographics, higher IVF use, and BHR’s catchment amplify cases. Dr Otigbah noted,

“Urban trusts like ours see disproportionate burdens.”

Local factors include delayed care access and rising maternal age. Adhia’s profile – second pregnancy post-caesarean – typifies patterns, urging targeted education.

How Can PAS Be Prevented or Detected Early?

Prevention hinges on minimising unnecessary caesareans, though Dr Otigbah clarified, “It’s not always avoidable.” Detection relies on anomaly scans, with 3D ultrasound boosting accuracy to 80%. She advised, “Report bleeding or pain promptly.”

BHR Hospitals trains midwives in PAS flags, integrating them into antenatal clinics. Adhia urged, “Listen to mothers – symptoms matter.”

What Are Community Reactions in Barking and Redbridge?

East London mothers’ forums buzzed post-Sky News, praising Dr Otigbah’s advocacy. Local maternity voices, echoed in community reports, demand PAS leaflets. BHR patients like Adhia inspire trust, yet some decry screening waits.

What Happens Next for NHS PAS Protocols?

Dr Otigbah’s call prompts potential RCOG updates, with BHR Hospitals likely auditing cases. Adhia plans awareness talks, bolstering the February 18 momentum. Trusts face pressure for mandatory PAS pathways.

This story, rooted in Sky News’ February 18, 2026, coverage, underscores maternity vigilance needs.