A council report about giving children the best start to life in Nottinghamshire was changed after a councillor said it “did not reflect reality”.
Nottinghamshire County Councillors were discussing Nottinghamshire Best Start Strategy 2021 – 2025 which aims to “prioritise early childhood to improve outcomes for young children and their families”.
The report, brought to the Children and Young People’s Committee, discussed “positive pregnancy outcomes” in Nottinghamshire but did not mention ongoing issues at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust’s (NUH) maternity services, which have been rated ‘inadequate’ by inspectors.
Councillor Michelle Welsh (Lab) asked that the report was altered to reflect the reality of the situation at NUH following cases of baby deaths and injuries.
Cllr Welsh said: “I did find this report a little troubling.
“This situation with regards to mothers and babies and maternity is serious.
“I will tell you who it hasn’t had the best start for, those women today who are still worried about going into Nottinghamshire hospitals to have their babies.
“That’s the reality of this situation.”
She added that women are not getting the support they need for post-natal depression.
She said: “I feel passionate about it and some of that comes from the emotional conversations we have had at health scrutiny committee where quite frankly what is going on is an absolute disgrace.”
Tracy Taylor (Con), chair of the meeting, said: “I was struggling listening to you because what you say resonates, some of it resonates at a personal level.
“I understand your caution and perhaps cynicism about how seriously those issues for mothers experiencing difficulties will be addressed.
“I am taking your comments very seriously.”
Councillor Matt Barney (Con) said: “I completely accept and stand with Cllr Welsh’s sentiments.
“I think they’re coming from a perspective that NUH maternity services are in a position of extreme crisis.
“It is probably a lack of confidence that Cllr Welsh is speaking from that things are so bad, can those foundations ever be good enough?
“Things are at the lowest level they could possibly be.
“I share those concerns that things are so dire, can any strategy sit on top of those foundations which are crumbling – but I think they can.”
Councillor Welsh, who set up a new mum’s group during the pandemic, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting: “The reality is there is a problem at NUH. I think it is terrible, there is a crisis there.
“It’s appalling that report came in front of us without that being reflected in the strategy.
“I feel a responsibility as a woman, mother and elected member to keep speaking up about this.
“I think it was huge to have the recommendation added, I am so pleased I was able to do it.
“I feel it’s important that we support the good things that are happening but we have to start at the right point.
“By not acknowledging what is going on in Nottingham we are failing women and children.”
Cllr Taylor adjourned the meeting and agreed to add a recommendation that acknowledges “some of the feelings expressed today”. Councillors voted in favour of the changes.
Maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust were rated inadequate by inspectors the Care Quality Commission last year.
NUH chairman Eric Morton has previously said the trust is “working hard” to address all the commission’s concerns.
