Update on the Ockenden report

The independent inquiry into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, known as the Ockenden Review, has been ongoing for over two years, and is expected to release its final report and recommendations in September 2025. 

In 2022, Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife, was appointed to lead an independent review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, due to concern over the quality and safety of maternity care at Nottingham City Hospital and Queens Medical Centre (QMC).

Donna Ockenden's team, comprising experienced obstetricians, neonatologists, obstetric anaesthetists, physicians, cardiologists and neurologists, among others, is examining cases of concern at the Trust, including failings in the care of mothers and babies. Their findings and recommendations will be published in the 'Ockenden Report' in September 2025. This review is the largest of its kind in NHS history and is expected to reveal serious issues at the two hospitals.

As of now, 1,941 families have joined the review, and 181 individual family meetings have been held. Over 800 Trust staff have also come forward. The inquiry will accept new cases until May 2025.

Media reports have highlighted several cases which are included within the review, and have revealed severe failings dating back to 2006. These cases include stillbirths, neonatal deaths, brain damage, severe maternal harm and maternal deaths. A police investigation has been launched following these revelations.

A Freedom of Information request by Nottinghamshire Live disclosed 302 cases of brain injuries to babies, 582 cases of severe maternal harm, and 657 cases of baby and maternal deaths. It appears that the highest number of incidents occurred in 2013, with 165 reported, and 140 incidents were recorded as recently as 2021.

Sadly, Donna Ockenden has reported that her preliminary findings have shown the same stories of cover-ups, staff shortages, and inadequate staff training being repeated, and that despite ongoing review, serious allegations against the Trust continue, including bullying, discrimination, racism, and a culture of cover-ups. Ms Ockenden has noted that while some improvements are being made, progress is slower than desired.

For the families who are part of the review, they have been advised that they do not need to take any action themselves, but the review will continue to manage their cases for them with the utmost care, adhering to professional standards and privacy guidelines.

The review team plans to update families who wish to stay informed at least once a month, typically through a newsletter. They will also maintain contact regarding family experiences via email and occasionally by letter.

The Trust announced in September 2024 a new family liaison service to improve maternity services, providing a single point of access and support for women and families after distressing experiences or bereavements.

The review continues, with the second family meeting recently held in Nottingham, offering families updates and access to support services. A further family meeting is being held on 1st February 2025, and the Freeths team will be attending with their clients. 

The team encourages more families to share their experiences to help improve maternity care at Nottingham City Hospital and Queens Medical Centre.

Jane Williams, Partner and head of the Clinical Negligence team in Nottingham at Freeths, has spoken out, noting that “we and our clients are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the review later in the year. We sincerely hope that the review findings will finally result in the changes needed to improve the poor levels of care previously provided, and ensure that those who have been harmed are not only heard but also compensated”.

As clinical negligence lawyers, we have been contacted and represent a number of families and children who have suffered or have lost loved ones as a result of failures in maternity 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. For those who have sadly suffered loss, we can help to secure support and therapy to help those suffering to come to terms with these devastating events. We can also help secure an apology from the Trust responsible and seek to ensure the same mistakes are not made again.