Review intended to drive change at NUH accused of ‘traumatising’ families – what went so wrong?

A review intended to drive ‘rapid improvements’ to maternity services in Nottingham has been scrapped after just eight months – with some bereaved families saying instead it did ‘irreparable’ damage to their mental health and trust in the system. 

It was hoped the process would lead to rapid change, restore families’ faith in maternity in Nottingham, and provide a voice for parents who wanted to share both positive and negative experiences.

Instead, some families said they found the review process slow, unprepared for the number of people who came forward and lacking the impact needed to improve a maternity service rated ‘inadequate’ by health inspectors.

The growing frustration that followed would turn to anger for some families, leading to the direct involvement of a Government minister, the arrival and rapid departure of a new chair, and the eventual disbanding of the review altogether in favour of a fresh start with one of the country’s top advisers on midwifery, Donna Ockenden – who led an in-depth review into Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust’s maternity services.

The U-turn came after pressure from a group of more than 100 people named ‘Families Harmed by Nottingham Maternity’ – which includes parents whose babies have died or been injured while being cared for at Nottingham’s two main hospitals.

Local Democracy Reporter Anna Whittaker looks at what led to so many families turning on a system which the NHS said was set up to bring about major changes.

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Source: Notts, 14 June 2022