Today’s publication of the Ockenden review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has set out deeply distressing findings for families affected.
The report, led by Donna Ockenden, concludes that more than 500 mothers and babies suffered avoidable harm or death over a 13-year period. It describes repeated failures in care, missed opportunities to act on concerns, and a culture in which warnings from families and staff were not consistently listened to.
One of our specialist medical negligence solicitors Lauren has followed the live publication of the review findings with her client Bethany Garland. Bethany said she was “utterly devastated by the shocking findings of today” and Lauren commented:
“It’s difficult to comprehend the scale of what families have been through. The report makes clear there were repeated opportunities to prevent harm, and too often concerns were not escalated or acted upon in time. The Trust have failed a huge number of families and caused avoidable deaths and injuries and our thoughts are with all of these families who should not have experienced what they have.”
Medical Negligence Solicitor, Lauren Taylor
Response to the review findings
The chair and chief executive of the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust issued an open letter in response to the Ockenden report.
In response to the report, the Trust Chair and Chief Executive issued an apology, describing the findings as a “watershed moment” for affected families, staff, and the wider community. They said they “apologise unreservedly” to women and families who have suffered harm or loss, and accepted that the Trust “failed” in its care.
They acknowledged that while improvements have been made, there is still more to do, and said the publication of the report is part of an ongoing process of learning and change. The Trust also said it is committed to working with families, strengthening maternity services, and ensuring future care is safe, compassionate, and transparent.
The Health Secretary delivered a powerful speech in response to the findings which included:
“Now, having met the families and having seen the report, I feel appalled by the neglect, incompetence, racism, discrimination, contempt and harassment that so many suffered.
I feel heartbroken to know that at so many times, when they tried to raise the alarm about their care, they were ignored, sneered at, disbelieved, blamed and lied to.”
The findings will be deeply significant for families who have raised concerns over many years, many of whom will feel this confirms long-held worries about the care they received.
The report also highlights wider issues around escalation of concerns, communication with patients, and consistency of care within maternity services – issues that extend beyond individual cases.
What next?
While this is an important moment of accountability, for families it will also mark another difficult step in a long and painful journey. What matters now is clear answers, openness, and meaningful change in maternity care going forward.
Formal Q&A sessions are scheduled for later this week. Lauren will be attending with a client directly affected by these issues, to listen and support as the findings are discussed further.
For many families, the next stage will be about continuing to seek answers and understanding what happened in their own cases. Taking legal advice may form part of that process, to help uncover the facts and secure accountability and if you are affected and would like to discuss your situation Call or Email our specialists today.
