Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Review - Publication of the terms of reference

Midwife Donna Ockenden, who previously led the enquiry into the Shrewsbury and Telford maternity scandal, will once again review significant concerns into the safety of the maternity care provided at Nottingham.

The scope of the review is now set out in the Terms of Reference which were published yesterday. The review will primarily consider cases dating back to 2012. However, some significant cases dating back to 2006 will also be included. They will cover the following five categories:

1. Term and intrapartum stillbirths;

2. Neonatal deaths from 24 weeks gestation up to 28 days of life;

3. Babies diagnosed with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy;

4. Maternal death up to 42 days post-partum; and

5. Severe maternal harm.

The review is expected to last for 18 months, with publication of the final report due around March 2024. Critically, learning and recommendations will be shared with the two Nottingham hospitals 'as they become apparent' to allow rapid action to improve the safety of maternity care. The review therefore provides hope for both real and swift change. It is understood that 'specific' and 'targeted' family feedback will be given where the review team believes that 'improved care would have made a difference to the outcome'.  It is hoped this will provide families with the answers they so desperately deserve.

Jane Williams, Head of the Nottingham Clinical Negligence Team at Freeths, commented: "As clinical negligence lawyers we represent a number of families and children who have suffered or have lost loved ones as a result of failures in medical care during labour and birth. These claims seek to ensure that any child who has suffered a preventable injury can access the services they require such as care, therapy, aids and equipment, and suitably adapted accommodation which may assist them during their lives. We can also help secure an apology from the Trust responsible and seek to ensure the same mistakes are not made again."

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If you or a loved one have any concerns about maternity care received, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free, confidential discussion: Jane Williams, Gemma Bedford, Katy Barnett, Jessica Atkin.

Find out more on our designated Claims Against Maternity Services page. To find recent news relating to this topic: Nottingham maternity review to examine 10 years of baby cases - BBC News