Families in Nottingham maternity inquiry hit out at review

Dozens of families have written to the government expressing concern over a review into failing maternity units in Nottingham.

A probe into Nottingham University Hospitals Trust is under way after dozens of babies died or were injured.

But families say the review is "moving with the viscosity of treacle".

They have called for Donna Ockenden, who led the inquiry into the UK's biggest maternity scandal, to take charge of a review.

In a letter to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, a group of 100 people raised concerns with the current thematic review, which has been commissioned by the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) and NHS England, and NHS Improvement.

According to the CCG, the review will look at themes and trends and put in "place detailed and measurable actions so improvements can be made fast".

But families have questioned the independence of the review and the experience of the team to handle a probe of this magnitude.

It is chaired by Cathy Purt, a long-time NHS manager who the families believe has no experience of running complex inquiries or maternity services.

The letter states: "If families are to be safeguarded, real intervention is required."

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Source: BBC News, 7 April 2022