Inquiry into major UK maternity scandal slams NHS for failure to consult Black and Asian families

An inquiry into maternity care failings at an NHS trust that left dozens of babies dead or brain-damaged is “wholly insufficient” because only a fraction of Black and Asian women have come forward, its chair has warned.

Donna Ockenden, who is leading a review into Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, suggested the health service must do more to increase the number of responses from ethnic minorities if the trust is to learn from the scandal.

Less than 20 families from Black and Asian communities are currently involved in the inquiry, compared to more than 250 white families, The Independent understands.

It is understood letters have only been sent out in English, while Ms Ockenden pointed to examples of women being unable to access translation services and expectant Muslim mothers being turned away if they objected to male sonographers.

She said the communities’ “mistrust” towards the trust had “deepened”, leaving the review team “climbing a mountain” to engage with them.

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Source: The Independent, 18 May 2023