A devastating report into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has uncovered a litany of 'horrific' failings, including multiple preventable deaths and severe injuries to mothers and babies, prompting immediate calls for a full public inquiry.
Report Findings Detail Systemic Failures
The independent review, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, examined 1,862 cases of concern between 2012 and 2024. It found that at least 22 babies died and 17 mothers suffered catastrophic injuries due to substandard care. The report highlights a toxic culture of blame, poor leadership, and inadequate staffing that allowed dangerous practices to persist for over a decade.
Key failures included delayed emergency cesareans, misinterpretation of fetal heart rate monitoring, and a lack of consultant cover on weekends. In one case, a mother with severe pre-eclampsia was left untreated for hours, leading to a stroke and permanent disability.
Families Speak Out
Families affected by the failings expressed anger and grief. Sarah Johnson, whose daughter died shortly after birth in 2018, said: 'The trust failed us repeatedly. We were ignored, dismissed, and lied to. A public inquiry is the only way to ensure this never happens again.' The report also found that staff raised concerns repeatedly but were silenced or bullied.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the findings as 'deeply disturbing' and pledged to consider a public inquiry. He stated: 'The scale of suffering laid bare in this report is unacceptable. We must hold those responsible to account and implement urgent reforms.'
Calls for Justice and Reform
Campaign groups and opposition MPs are demanding a statutory public inquiry with powers to compel witnesses and recommend prosecutions. The Royal College of Midwives called the report 'a damning indictment of a broken system' and urged immediate action on staffing and safety.
The trust's chief executive apologized, admitting that 'the care provided fell far below the standard patients deserved.' However, families argue that apologies are insufficient without accountability and structural change.
