Calls for public inquiry into Nottingham maternity services as affected families quadruples in two weeks

As has been widely publicised, the maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) were reported as being “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) back in December 2020. Since then, it is believed that the necessary changes still have not been made and patients are not being listened to, leading to devastating consequences.

With concern building, an independent review into the maternity services at NUH is ongoing, and new figures show that families wishing to take part in the independent review have increased from 84 to an overwhelming 387 in the just two weeks. Those affected feel as though there will be many more families who are yet to come forward, either because they are not yet aware of the enquiry or too traumatized to act. As a result, local Nottinghamshire County Councillors have stepped in to put pressure on the Trust and question the pace in which vital changes are being made. In recent weeks, acting chief executive of the Trust, Rupert Eggington, as well as Sharon Wallis (Director of Maternity), Keith Girling (Medical Director) and Tiffany Jones (Director of Communications) were required to present their improvement plan to the concerned councillors. Throughout these discussions, it became evident that an unannounced re-inspection of the maternity services had taken place earlier this month, and it was found that further improvements into triaging were required as the number of stillbirths continues to rise. The Trust was given a deadline of 16 May in order to make such changes. Now Labour Councillor, Michelle Walsh, is hoping for more. She is therefore calling for a full public inquiry, as has taken place in the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. This inquiry led to the recent Ockenden Report, published just yesterday on 30 March 2020, which highlighted that at least 201 babies and 9 mothers had died as a result of the poor care. A public inquiry into NUH seems increasingly necessary as vital changes highlighted as long as 15 months ago still have not been made. As clinical negligence lawyers we represent 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.

Please see our designated claims against maternity services page for more information.

If you or a loved one have similar concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free, confidential discussion. Please email Jane Williams.