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It is understood that Donna Ockenden a senior Midwife will chair the inquiry into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals.
News broke on the 1st September that a review will finally be conducted . The inquiry will look into concerns from 2006 to 2021, covering a 15 year period.
The primary objective of both Ms Ockenden and the affected families is to ensure that the review will bring about both real and swift change. Ms Ockenden has noted that her momentum revolves around ensuring that the vital improvements are made “as quickly as possible and in a way that means those improvements are sustained”.
It has been confirmed that the review will look into cases on an individual basis to consider whether they were adequately investigated by the Trust at the time they occurred, and whether the lessons which needed to be learnt were properly identified and taken on board to stop the same devastating outcomes happening to further families.
Jane Williams Head of clinical Negligence for the East Midlands and North East at Freeths Solicitors stated, “The appointment of Ms Ockenden brings not only experience, transparency but finally a voice to help address our clients’ concerns and ensure that the maternity service improves, and lessons are finally learnt.”
Current figures show that there were a total of 207 claims against NUH maternity services between 2006 and 2021, and a call has been made for as many families as possible to take part in the enquiry, in order to ensure that all concerns are adequately addressed.
As the number of affected families is thought to be much greater than 207, it is expected that the review will take around 18 months to complete.
Although a lengthy process, the families are said to be relieved that the actions they’ve been fighting for over a number of years are finally being carried out.
A much-criticised initial review was subsequently scrapped, after over 100 families who had experienced maternity failings contacted then Health Secretary Sajid Javid, demanding action be taken.
Ms Ockenden, who in August uncovered 200 avoidable baby deaths at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust across two decades, urged families to come forward.
NUH’s maternity services at Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital are both rated ‘inadequate’ by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The NHS trust which is currently being prosecuted over the death of baby Winter Andrews in 2019, said it welcomed Ms Ockenden and her teams inquiry.
Chief Nurse Michelle Rhodes said in a statement:
“We are deeply sorry for the unimaginable distress that has been caused due to failings in our maternity services.”
“We know that an apology will never be enough and we owe it to those who have been failed, those we’re caring for today and to our staff to deliver a better maternity service for our communities. We welcome Donna Ockenden and her team to Nottingham and will work with them to achieve this.”
Affected families can contact the review through the email: [email protected].