Nottingham maternity boss memo 'total disrespect to families'

A couple whose baby died in Nottingham say they are "furious" at a memo to hospital staff criticising media coverage of the city's maternity units.

Jack and Sarah Hawkins, whose daughter Harriet died in 2016, have led calls for an inquiry into failings.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) is at the centre of a review into failings at the city's maternity units.

After years of campaigning and an earlier review which was abandoned, experienced midwife Ms Ockenden was appointed in May.

On Tuesday it emerged Ms Wallis had sent a memo to NUH maternity staff which read: "Yesterday, (Monday 11th) Donna Ockenden met with families as part of the new independent review process.

"Some of you will no doubt have seen some of the media fall out."

"Yet again they painted a damning picture of our maternity services, leaving out of their reports the great work that has been done, the improvements that have been introduced and the passion and commitment of all of the staff."

Mr and Mrs Hawkins told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It's not just the families and the press ganging up - there is very real concern about safety. For senior leadership to not be saying that they have a problem is beyond us."

Hospital bosses have "wholeheartedly apologised" for offence caused.

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Source: BBC News, 13 July 2022