Medical Negligence Experts Representing Families Welcome Donna Ockenden As Chair Of New Review Into Maternity Services In The City

Specialist lawyers have welcomed the appointment of a chair to review maternity services in Nottingham, as a new report describes the performance of two hospitals as ‘inadequate’

Two years after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) first raised concerns about maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, the health watchdog has classed its performance as ‘inadequate’.

The latest CQC report, said there were insufficient staff to care for women and keep them safe and not enough employees had the key skills required. The findings come after 19 babies were stillborn and 46 more suffered brain damage in maternity units at Queens Medical Centre and City Hospital between 2010 and 2020, with a further 15 deaths involving mums and babies.

The CQC has called for immediate improvements. A separate review of services will be chaired by Donna Ockenden, the senor midwife known for leading the inquiry into maternity services failings at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals where Ms Ockenden has stated that the CQC report and demands for improvement, coupled with the stories told by parents, reveals that something was ‘very, very wrong at the trust,’ reports the BBC

Medical negligence specialists at Irwin Mitchell continue to represent families affected by birth injuries in Nottingham. They also represent hundreds of families affected by care issues nationally, including Shrewsbury and Telford, Sheffield and East Kent Hospitals.

While welcoming the appointment of a specialist to lead the new review, lawyers remain very concerned about the findings of the latest inspection and the need for urgency in improving services and restoring confidence of families in the levels of care they can expect.

Expert Opinion

“This latest CQC report makes for incredibly worrying reading. What’s of particular concern is that issues were raised and areas for improvement were identified by the CQC in 2020, but two years on inspectors found services haven’t improved.

“We and the families we represent welcome the appointment of Donna Ockenden and following her work in Shrewsbury and Telford have confidence that she will carry out the most thorough and transparent review possible.

“Behind each maternity case is a real human tragedy of how parents have lost children or children have been left seriously injured, many requiring specialist lifetime care.

“While it’s too late for the families we represent, they now want to see meaningful and decisive action to ensure maternity safety is improved.

“We continue to support families, just not in Nottingham but across the country, and are determined to provide them with the answers and specialist support they deserve and need.” Julianne Moore - Partner

Following the visit by inspectors in March, maternity services were rated inadequate, with ‘not all staff having training in key skills’ and ‘did not always assess all risks to women.’

Inspectors were not convinced staff acted on concerns in a timely manner and people could not always access the service when they needed it. In addition, City Hospital saw 19 serious incidents reported between March 2021 and February 2022.

The Trust has said it was working hard to make improvements.

Find out more about our expertise in supporting patients and families affected by hospital care issues at our dedicated medical negligence section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.