Senior midwife tasked with probing horrifying NHS maternity scandals criticises 'extremely disappointing' progress in making it safe for women to give birth in Britain
1 year, 3 months ago

Senior midwife tasked with probing horrifying NHS maternity scandals criticises 'extremely disappointing' progress in making it safe for women to give birth in Britain

Daily Mail  

The midwife tasked by government and the NHS to investigate maternity scandals has criticised ministers for failing to provide enough funding to address the problems. Donna Ockenden said the money provided so far was 'nowhere near good enough' and progress made to improve services had been 'extremely disappointing'. After her investigation into the deaths and harm of 295 babies and nine mothers at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust, the Department of Health and Social Care endorsed recommendations to invest an additional £200million to £350million per year into maternity services. However, Ms Ockenden told the Health Service Journal that the recent impact of inflation, pay awards, and other rising costs means the full £350 million is required Katie Wilkins' baby girl Maddison was stillborn in February 2013 at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after midwives left her in a side room for 48 hours and failed to properly monitor her. Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has seen its midwife workforce drop 12.8 per cent over this nine-month period, while Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has 8.8 per cent fewer staff compared to 10 months earlier, NHS workforce data shows She told the HSJ: 'Although workforce numbers in midwifery are stabilising, there remains an overall loss of senior and experienced staff, typically band 6 midwives, of several years duration.

Health Services Social Care Safe Midwife Midwives Maternity Services Maternity Care Shrewsbury Ms Ockenden Ockenden Hospitals Trust Nhs Maternity  women  senior  nhs  maternity  care  tasked  probing  progress  midwife  ockenden  health  services  midwives  workforce  hospitals  trust  scandals  safe

History of this topic

Deaths of 56 babies and two mothers at NHS Trust 'may have been preventable' as whistleblower blasts 'appalling care'
2 months ago

Deaths of 56 babies and two mothers at NHS Trust 'may have been preventable' as whistleblower blasts 'appalling care'

Daily Mail  

At least 56 babies and two mothers have tragically died at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the past five years, with bereaved families raising concerns that many of these deaths could have been prevented. According to recent reports, the trust's neonatal mortality rate stands at 4.46 per 1,000 live births in 2022, a figure that is 70 per cent …

Number of babies and children dying needlessly following NHS blunders at birth is soaring amid maternity scandals
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Number of babies and children dying needlessly following NHS blunders at birth is soaring amid maternity scandals

Daily Mail  

The number of babies and children dying needlessly following NHS blunders at birth is on the rise, the Mail has discovered. Olly died of a brain injury two years ago after two midwives at Royal Bolton Hospital let his mother feed him while she was having gas and air - in breach of guidelines A coroner ruled his death was …

Maternity crisis as deaths of mothers and newborn babies increase for the first time in a decade
3 months, 1 week ago

Maternity crisis as deaths of mothers and newborn babies increase for the first time in a decade

Daily Mail  

Death rates for mothers and newborn babies have increased for the first time in a decade amid growing concerns over patient safety, a report reveals. Lord Darzi, co-director at the Institute of Global Health Innovation, who recently led a recent government-commissioned review into the NHS, said: ‘Our latest report on patient safety in England reveals alarming declines. ‘Our analysis highlights …

‘Alarming declines’ in patient safety as maternity care deteriorates – report
3 months, 1 week ago

‘Alarming declines’ in patient safety as maternity care deteriorates – report

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It comes as a report found there has been “alarming declines” in patient safety …

More accountability needed for maternity scandal ‘cover-ups’, say families
6 months ago

More accountability needed for maternity scandal ‘cover-ups’, say families

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Families in the largest NHS maternity review ever undertaken say …

Conservative government was ‘asleep at the wheel’ in relation to maternity safety, says top midwife
6 months ago

Conservative government was ‘asleep at the wheel’ in relation to maternity safety, says top midwife

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tory ministers were “asleep at the wheel”, in relation to maternity …

The harrowing reality of giving birth in NHS hospitals revealed: Mothers left in blood covered sheets and told to 'stop stressing' over their dead babies, finds damning report into scandal that trauma
10 months, 1 week ago

The harrowing reality of giving birth in NHS hospitals revealed: Mothers left in blood covered sheets and told to 'stop stressing' over their dead babies, finds damning report into scandal that trauma

Daily Mail  

Pregnant women are being treated like a 'slab of 'meat, a damning report into the 'postcode lottery' of NHS maternity care ruled today. The UK's first parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma has found there is 'shockingly poor quality' in maternity services, claiming good care is 'the exception rather than the rule'. According to The Times, the report found 'poor care …

Doctors issue warning after spike in ‘freebirthing’
1 year, 1 month ago

Doctors issue warning after spike in ‘freebirthing’

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said women should be supported to have the …

NHS Trusts still push women to have natural births despite maternity scandals
1 year, 5 months ago

NHS Trusts still push women to have natural births despite maternity scandals

The Telegraph  

Hospitals are still promoting a “natural birth is best” philosophy – despite a succession of maternity scandals highlighting the dangers of the approach. Examples identified by The Telegraph include: East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust’s internal policy document issued in September 2022 states: “East and North Hertfordshire Maternity Service promotes a culture of normality and focuses on keeping pregnancy and …

‘Inadequate’ safety in Leicester maternity care ‘worrying but unsurprising’
1 year, 6 months ago

‘Inadequate’ safety in Leicester maternity care ‘worrying but unsurprising’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The safety of some maternity services at a Leicester NHS …

‘Families’ maternity concerns should have been addressed earlier’
1 year, 6 months ago

‘Families’ maternity concerns should have been addressed earlier’

The Independent  

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Nottingham maternity inquiry to investigate 1,700 cases in largest-ever baby deaths probe
1 year, 8 months ago

Nottingham maternity inquiry to investigate 1,700 cases in largest-ever baby deaths probe

The Independent  

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Another maternity scandal shames Britain
1 year, 10 months ago

Another maternity scandal shames Britain

The Independent  

It is rare for an official inquiry to be criticised by its own chair, and more unusual still for doubt to be poured on its credibility by its own architects before it is even under way. However, Donna Ockenden, the senior midwife who is leading a review into maternity care failings at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, has been …

More maternity tragedies will occur unless rapid changes are made – report
1 year, 11 months ago

More maternity tragedies will occur unless rapid changes are made – report

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rapid changes must be made to England’s maternity services or …

Government has ‘not gone far enough’ in its response to maternity scandal
2 years ago

Government has ‘not gone far enough’ in its response to maternity scandal

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government’s initial response to a damning report into a …

More than 1,300 care concerns raised over trust fined £800,000 for baby death
2 years, 1 month ago

More than 1,300 care concerns raised over trust fined £800,000 for baby death

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Donna Ockenden said more than 900 families and 400 …

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Woke NHS must put new mothers first
2 years, 2 months ago

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Woke NHS must put new mothers first

Daily Mail  

There should barely be a safer place for expectant mothers and their babies than an NHS maternity ward. Despite a string of public inquiries making recommendations to improve care and reduce risks, a damning report has found a concerning decline in women’s experience of maternity services. Despite a string of public inquiries making recommendations to improve care and reduce risks, …

Maternity scandal review could reach more than 1,500 cases
2 years, 3 months ago

Maternity scandal review could reach more than 1,500 cases

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Jack and Sarah Hawkins with daughter Harriet Bereaved parents …

More than HALF of NHS maternity units fail to meet safety standards
2 years, 4 months ago

More than HALF of NHS maternity units fail to meet safety standards

Daily Mail  

Regulators have expressed 'deep concerns' about the quality of care mothers and babies receive in hospital after maternity services deteriorated to their worst ever level. Sarah and Tom Richford with their son Harry who died seven days after he was born in November 2017 at the QEQM Bex Walton, who lost her son Tommy when he was two days old, …

Lives of mothers and babies at risk due to maternity understaffing, midwives warn
2 years, 5 months ago

Lives of mothers and babies at risk due to maternity understaffing, midwives warn

The Independent  

Grave staff shortages in maternity services are placing the lives of mothers and babies at risk, midwives and campaigners have warned. Cherilyn Mackrory, the Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth who is co-chair of the APPG on Baby Loss, said: “Following on from the Ockenden report, this report affirms yet again that investment is needed to ensure maternity and neonatal …

NHS maternity services shouldn’t be promoting pseudoscience
2 years, 5 months ago

NHS maternity services shouldn’t be promoting pseudoscience

The Independent  

If you give birth in Nottingham, and your placenta is slow to deliver, then expect to be offered aromatherapy oils such as jasmine or basil to speed it up. The revelation that the maternity unit at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has guidelines recommending aromatherapy to treat complications arising from labour has shocked many, with Susan Bewley, emeritus professor of …

Woman in labour was forced to travel 40 MILES to give birth after THREE hospitals turned her away
2 years, 5 months ago

Woman in labour was forced to travel 40 MILES to give birth after THREE hospitals turned her away

Daily Mail  

A woman in labour had to travel 40 miles to give birth after being turned away from three hospitals because they did not have enough midwives. Her birthing plans specified Peterborough City Hospital and she rang the unit there after her waters broke, her mother-in-law Rica Scott said. Barbara Job, 25, from Peterborough was forced to travel 40 miles to …

Maternity failings account for the majority of NHS £13bn negligence costs
2 years, 7 months ago

Maternity failings account for the majority of NHS £13bn negligence costs

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A report released by NHS Resolution said it was “a stark reminder that although the …

Trainee doctors in ‘meltdown’ at major hospital maternity department
2 years, 9 months ago

Trainee doctors in ‘meltdown’ at major hospital maternity department

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The NHS’ training regulator said it had concerns over the treatment of trainee doctors within …

Women and babies still at risk at Nottingham hospitals, watchdog warns
2 years, 9 months ago

Women and babies still at risk at Nottingham hospitals, watchdog warns

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “It’s disappointing that despite several inspections where CQC has told the trust areas they must …

Midwife who led Shrewsbury maternity scandal probe to chair Nottingham review
2 years, 9 months ago

Midwife who led Shrewsbury maternity scandal probe to chair Nottingham review

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The families affected by failings at the trust said the appointment is a “significant …

NHS trusts under fire for adverts for midwives committed to ‘normal birth’
2 years, 11 months ago

NHS trusts under fire for adverts for midwives committed to ‘normal birth’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy NHS trusts have come under fire for posting job adverts …

Constant expectation that women’s care can be ‘done on the cheap’ – MP
2 years, 11 months ago

Constant expectation that women’s care can be ‘done on the cheap’ – MP

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy There is a “constant expectation” that women’s health services and …

Childbirth is STILL not safe for mothers in England says author of report into 'systemic' failings
2 years, 11 months ago

Childbirth is STILL not safe for mothers in England says author of report into 'systemic' failings

Daily Mail  

The author of a report into Britain's worst maternity scandal said pregnant women will not be safe to give birth until her full raft of recommendations are implemented. Rhiannon Davies embraces Kayleigh Griffiths, following the release of the final report by Donna Ockenden, chair of the Independent Review into Maternity Services at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust Donna …

Ockenden report raises 15 areas for ‘immediate action’ in England maternity care
2 years, 11 months ago

Ockenden report raises 15 areas for ‘immediate action’ in England maternity care

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Ockenden report has raised 15 areas for “immediate and …

Fifth of mothers felt pressured to have natural birth, poll reveals
2 years, 11 months ago

Fifth of mothers felt pressured to have natural birth, poll reveals

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy One fifth of mothers felt pressured by healthcare professionals to …

Families silenced or ignored, says midwife behind review into maternity care
2 years, 11 months ago

Families silenced or ignored, says midwife behind review into maternity care

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Families have been “silenced or ignored”, a former senior midwife leading …

‘Cinderella’ postnatal care leaves women ‘forgotten’ after birth
3 years ago

‘Cinderella’ postnatal care leaves women ‘forgotten’ after birth

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It comes as midwives warn there are “horrendous” shortages in community services, which have prevented women …

Douglas Ross: Pregnant women face ‘lengthy and distressing journeys’
3 years, 1 month ago

Douglas Ross: Pregnant women face ‘lengthy and distressing journeys’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nicola Sturgeon has been challenged about “unworkable and unsafe” changes …

‘More staff needed’ to restore hospital’s consultant-led maternity services
3 years, 3 months ago

‘More staff needed’ to restore hospital’s consultant-led maternity services

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “It is also dependent upon continuous development of Dr Gray’s Hospital to enable it …

Safety fears over new maternity service ignored by NHS bosses, claim Shrewsbury inquiry team
3 years, 5 months ago

Safety fears over new maternity service ignored by NHS bosses, claim Shrewsbury inquiry team

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Major reforms to the way maternity care is provided to women …

One in three babies at scandal-hit Welsh hospitals could have survived
3 years, 5 months ago

One in three babies at scandal-hit Welsh hospitals could have survived

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Independent Maternity Oversight Panel found major failings in 21 out of 63 cases at …

Poor staffing and safety fears is driving midwives out of the NHS
3 years, 5 months ago

Poor staffing and safety fears is driving midwives out of the NHS

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} More than …

More NHS maternity units criticised for poor cultures, bullying and staff shortages
3 years, 5 months ago

More NHS maternity units criticised for poor cultures, bullying and staff shortages

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Two more …

Labour launches bid to end NHS secrecy and improve safety following care scandals
3 years, 5 months ago

Labour launches bid to end NHS secrecy and improve safety following care scandals

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour is to push for key changes to the government’s NHS …

Revealed: Unsafe maternity care has cost the NHS £8.2bn in 15 years
3 years, 6 months ago

Revealed: Unsafe maternity care has cost the NHS £8.2bn in 15 years

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Negligent maternity care in the NHS has cost taxpayers an “eye-watering” …

NHS bosses reveal plans for Nottingham maternity inquiry
3 years, 7 months ago

NHS bosses reveal plans for Nottingham maternity inquiry

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy NHS bosses have accepted maternity concerns at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust …

Nurses drafted in to shore up understaffed maternity unit
3 years, 7 months ago

Nurses drafted in to shore up understaffed maternity unit

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. I worry that flooding a department with newly qualified midwives and agency workies is a …

Nottingham maternity scandal: Midwives reveal their fears for the safety of mothers and babies
3 years, 7 months ago

Nottingham maternity scandal: Midwives reveal their fears for the safety of mothers and babies

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But while the hospital concerned – the Queen’s Medical …

Sign up to The Independent’s virtual event The NHS maternity scandal: Inside a crisis
3 years, 7 months ago

Sign up to The Independent’s virtual event The NHS maternity scandal: Inside a crisis

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Concerns about …

Inquiry set to examine maternity care at Nottingham hospital trust after mother and baby deaths
3 years, 8 months ago

Inquiry set to examine maternity care at Nottingham hospital trust after mother and baby deaths

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Patient safety minister Nadine Dorries has said maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust will …

Ministers must invest £350m to make maternity units safe, MPs say
3 years, 8 months ago

Ministers must invest £350m to make maternity units safe, MPs say

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} NHS maternity …

Maternity report is a line in the sand — action must follow
3 years, 8 months ago

Maternity report is a line in the sand — action must follow

The Independent  

There have been too many tragic stories of families left bereaved because of failings in NHS maternity care. James Titcombe, whose son Joshua died as a result of errors at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust in 2008, told me it was now crucial scandal trusts stop being viewed as ‘one offs’ and action taken to address the systemic …

NHS maternity safety: Ministers announce review to stop baby deaths during childbirth
3 years, 8 months ago

NHS maternity safety: Ministers announce review to stop baby deaths during childbirth

The Independent  

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