Lawyers Welcome Planned Police Investigation Into Nottingham Maternity Services

Police are set to launch an investigation into the deaths and serious injury of babies in Nottingham. 

Nottinghamshire Police has announced it intends to launch a criminal investigation into maternity care concerns at hospitals run by Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust. 

It follows a meeting with senior midwife Donna Ockenden, who is leading a separate review into services in the city. 

Medical negligence lawyers supporting Nottingham maternity families

Specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are representing families concerned about the care mums and babies received at hospitals run by NUH, including Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital. 

Legal experts also representing hundreds of families nationally

The law firm represents hundreds of families throughout the country who have been impacted by maternity care issues. This includes in Nottingham, at Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals scandal - where a separate Ockenden review found catastrophic failings over a 20-year period – as well as other hospitals including in Sheffield and East Kent.

The firm is campaigning for improvements in maternity safety nationally.

Expert Opinion

“Once again the maternity care that mums and babies have received in Nottingham is in the spotlight.

“The families we represent have either suffered the heartbreak of losing a child or their child has been left with disabilities for which they’ll require life-long care and support. We also represent mums who have been injured.

“Understandably the families we represent have a number of concerns about what happened not only to them but others.

“All they want is for the most thorough investigations to be held so they can be provided with all of the answers they deserve.

“They welcome the police’s intention to investigate. We’re continuing to support families we represent at this emotional time so they can also access the specialist support and in some cases, life-long care they require.

“In the meantime it’s vital that any criminal investigation is allowed to proceed unimpeded.” Julianne Moore

Ockenden Nottingham maternity review

The Ockenden’s review in Nottingham is examining maternity care in the city over a number of years.

Earlier this year the review was expanded to cover 1,700 cases – the UK’s largest inquiry yet.

It came after approaching 50 babies suffered brain damage and 19 were injured in the city.

The Nottingham review followed a similar inquiry at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust which found more than 200 mothers and babies might have survived, had they received better maternity care.

Find out more about our expertise in supporting families affected by maternity care issues at our dedicated birth injuries section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.