The parents of babies who died or were harmed at hospitals in Nottingham have accused the NHS hospitals involved of a “cover up.”
Families claim that Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) continue to fail bereaved parents because of lacking investigations into and disciplinaries of staff.
The Independent Review of Nottingham Maternity Services is to be the biggest in UK history, investigating the cases of at least 1,939 babies and mothers over a 10-year period between 2012 and 2022.
NUH’s Annual Public Meeting brought all the parties involved in the review together today where concerns were raised.
Families claim that Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) continue to fail bereaved parents
PA
Jack and Sarah Hawkins said: “No one has been investigated, sanctioned, disciplined, or dismissed.”
The couple's daughter, Harriet, died in 2016 at City Hospital in Nottingham leading them to become whistleblowers while employed by the Trust.
In a statement, Jack and Sarah said: “As families, we want to know why there has been no accountability. We are clear there has been harm caused by individuals.”
“We cannot fathom how no one has been investigated, sanctioned, disciplined, or dismissed given the experiences we have had and have made clear to NUH.”
Adding: “We feel very confident describing what has happened at NUH as a cover-up.”
The failings at NUH’s maternity services are also the subject of a criminal investigation by Nottinghamshire Police.
Anthony May, Chief Executive of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) said: “I believe we have the right processes and systems in place to ensure we are operating safely today.”
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Jack and Sarah Hawkins's baby Harriet died in 2016 at City Hospital in Nottingham leading them to become whistleblowers while employed by the Trust
“Any concerns raised to us are dealt with through appropriate professional standards processes.”
The chief executive outlined five commitments at NUH’s public meeting, including creating a family liaison service to support bereaved families.
Others include: a process for a meaningful apology, public oversight on progress, the lasting legacy of harmed babies, and continued psychological support to families.
However, upon families raising the lack of a pledge on 'accountability' at the meeting, it was duly added to the commitments.
The review, led by leading midwife Donna Ockenden, marked its two-year anniversary on September 4 earlier this month.
“The scale is huge. Behind every number is a real family,” said Donna Ockenden, Chair of Nottingham Maternity Review.
She added: “Undeniably there have been some improvements in maternity services, but the Trust does have a long way to go.
Donna Ockenden, Chair of Nottingham Maternity Review
“There are poor outcomes, we don't yet know whether poor care led to those outcomes. Our work is nowhere near complete."
The leading midwife said that she has regular meetings with NUH Trust where there are opportunities for “real time learning.”
However, in the past she has been “pretty cross" repeating issues.
Donna also led the Ockenden review into Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust which investigated 1500 cases of harm to mums and babies, published in March 2022.
Families across the UK are now calling for a public inquiry into maternity failings.
“There has been a lost opportunity to improve maternity care with the previous government,” Donna Ockenden said.
“Immediately essential actions for maternity services... need to be accelerated."
