Breaking news: Failures at Nottingham NHS trust: £1.6 million fine over baby deaths

Earlier today, Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust has been fined £1.6 million for critical failures that led to the deaths of three babies in 2021. The court’s decision shines a light on the devastating impact of these lapses on the affected families.

Three families were shattered by the loss of their newborns who all sadly died within a period of just 14 weeks of each other. Each mother experienced a severe condition known as placental abruption, which was tragically mishandled by the trust.

The court uncovered a series of systemic failures in the care provided, with similar issues recurring in each case. Recurring system failures are issues are well known to the ongoing Ockenden Review and will resonate with the over 2,000 families who are involved within the review process.

Originally set at £5.5 million, the fine was reduced to £1.6 million due to the trust’s financial situation and their admission of guilt. The payment will be made in two instalments by March 2027.

District Judge Grace Leong poignantly remarked, “They placed their trust in a system meant to protect expectant mothers and keep babies safe - and that trust was broken.”

This ruling is a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining high standards in healthcare. It highlights the need for rigorous oversight and accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The £1.6 million fine serves as a powerful message to healthcare providers about the severe consequences of failing to uphold patient safety and care standards.

Gemma Bedford Gemma Bedford, Managing Associate in the Clinical Negligence team at Freeths, said: “It is encouraging that action is being taken and the Trust held account accountable for clear systemic failings. However, this will be only step towards justice for the thousands of families affected by the maternity services in Nottingham.”