In May last year Donna Ockenden was appointed as Chair of an independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUHT) after significant concerns were raised regarding the quality and safety of its maternity services.
In January 2023, the trust was fined a record £800,000 after admitting to failings in the care of a woman and her baby, who died minutes after being born. Nottingham Maternity Hospital fined over baby’s death
After a meeting between Ms Ockenden and the police earlier this month, it has been confirmed that the police will launch a criminal investigation, which will work alongside the review, into what they have deemed maternity cases of “potentially significant concern.”
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell has appointed Assistant Chief Constable, Rob Griffin to oversee the preparations and the subsequent investigation. The investigation will look into the deaths and injuries of babies as a result of poor care which have occurred over more than a decade. Kate Meynell said. “We are currently looking at the work being done in Shrewsbury and Telford by West Mercia Police to understand how they conducted their investigation alongside Donna Ockenden’s review and any lessons learnt.” NHS Trust awaits publication of Ockenden Report.
Largest maternity scandal
It is thought that NUHT could be the UK’s largest-ever maternity scandal with 1800 cases to be re-examined and over 700 current and former trust staff may be contacted to talk about poor maternity care, and the subsequent poor investigation of that care, which happened over a number of years. Plus, thanks to the work of Ms Ockenden and her team to date, there is a wealth of information that can be used.
Families of those affected welcomed news of the investigation. They have for many years alleged crimes, including a far-reaching cover up, and are keen to share their evidence and concerns with the police. It is understood that every family will have a meeting with the Assistant Chief Constable, where they will have an opportunity to talk about their experiences and also find out what the investigation will mean for them.
Honesty and transparency
Rachael Flanagan, Head of Medical Negligence and Personal Injury at Alsters Kelley said. “Every pregnant woman should have access to safe, effective and truly personalised maternity care. Whilst the Trust have apologised and promised to be open and transparent, this needs to be accompanied by clear and meaningful action so that all mothers and their families can expect safe, effective, reliable and high-quality maternity services as standard.”
Rachael concludes. “Whatever the review and the investigation find, it’s essential that a comprehensive improvement programme is implemented, not only to staffing, training, communication and equipment, but also to guidelines, record-keeping and transparency. Plus, the fact that the police are going to investigate clinicians’ actions will hopefully provide the families with an opportunity to understand why people acted as they did.”
If you have any concerns about the treatment either you and your baby received and would like help or advice, please contact Rachel Flanagan on 01926 356000 or email rachael.flanagan@alsterskelley.com.
Call now 01926 356 030 to arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced medical negligence lawyers at any of our six offices.
You can also join us at our Medical Negligence free drop-in sessions every third Wednesday of the month from our Nuneaton office.
Rachael Flanagan
Rachael’s role is to represent Claimant’s in Medical Negligence and Personal Injury claims and help her clients achieve the level of compensation they deserve. Rachael is also committed to ensure her client’s receive appropriate rehabilitation.
rachael.flanagan@alsterskelley.com