Nottingham University Hospitals Chief 'Shocked' by Maternity Review Failures

Anthony May, Chief Executive of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, has expressed profound disappointment regarding the preliminary findings of an independent review into the trust's maternity services. Mr May stated he was 'shocked and upset' by the issues uncovered, which he acknowledged as 'unacceptable'. The review, spearheaded by Donna Ockenden, is examining care provided to over 1,800 families who have reported concerns to the trust.

The initial feedback from Ms Ockenden indicates a pervasive pattern of 'deeply concerning issues' within the maternity units at Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital. These include a culture of blaming mothers, a failure to listen to families, and a lack of openness about serious incidents. Concerns also extend to the trust's approach to reporting and investigating harm, alongside inadequate staffing levels and a workforce that feels undervalued.

Ms Ockenden's team has already scrutinised the cases of approximately 350 families, with the full scope of the review encompassing a period from 2006 to the present day. Mr May asserted that the trust is fully committed to implementing all recommendations arising from the final report, aiming to 'urgently and decisively' address the documented failures and rebuild public confidence in its maternity care.