Over 100 people affected by the maternity crisis at Nottingham University Hospitals gathered in West Bridgford today.
Many had not met before and got together to share experiences and to hear the latest on the enquiry which is being led by Donna Ockenden.
Emily Barley from the Maternity Safety Alliance attended. Her daughter died as a result of failings at Barnsley Hospital and she’s helping lead a campaign for a national public inquiry into maternity failings and urges people to back it.
She said:
‘We’ve had a series of local investigations, national schemes, all sorts of stuff has been tried, but we’re not actually seeing a difference, we’re not seeing an improvement in care. And actually, the latest stats are showing us that it’s getting worse across the country. More babies are dying, more mums are dying, more maternity units are rated unsafe.’
The investigation into maternity failings at both the Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital goes on. The final report from Donna Okenden and her team isn’t expected until the end of 2025.
It is leading the largest review in NHS history at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, which runs Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen’s Medical Centre.
Around 1,800 families are now expected to be involved in the review, which covers cases including stillbirth, neonatal deaths, brain damage to the baby or harm to mothers.
Around 700 members of staff have also contributed to the review.
Nottinghamshire Police is launching a criminal investigation into maternity failings at Nottingham University Hospitals but that will not start until spring next year at the earliest.
Nottinghamshire Police announced it as part of an update on its probe into the services at the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital.
Maternity at both sites is rated ‘requires improvement’ by the healthcare watchdog.
