Families affected by maternity scandal want independent inquiry into failings

More than 20 families affected by the Nottingham maternity scandal have expressed that they want a completely independent inquiry into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust.

In recent years, 19 babies have been stillborn and 46 babies have suffered severe brain damage whilst under the care of the Trust.

Currently, both of NUH’s maternity services have been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Since 2018 there have been investigations into 34 serious maternity incidents at the Trust. They have involved three maternal deaths, 22 babies who potentially had severe brain injuries, four neonatal deaths and five stillbirths.

Following investigations into the incidents the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) made over 70 recommendations to NUH. Despite this, an inspection by the CQC in 2020 found little evidence to suggest that changes had been made in line with the HSIB recommendations.

Emily Legge, a paralegal in the medical negligence team at Ashtons Legal, comments: “It’s clear that women under the care of NUH Trust’s maternity services do not feel as though they are being listened to which is putting them and their babies at risk of injury or even death. It is highly concerning that these preventable incidents continue to occur and it’s hugely important that changes are made before yet another tragic incident occurs.”

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