NHS bosses reveal plans for Nottingham maternity inquiry
The IndependentSign 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 are not “historic” and set out details for an independent inquiry into care at the trust. Last month, health minister Nadine Dorries promised families would get an independent investigation of the trust’s maternity services but until now the NHS has not confirmed any details or engaged with families, sparking concerns over whether it would deliver. “It is vital that our communities can trust their local maternity services and I will do what I can to help achieve this again.” Harriet’s parents Jack and Sarah were concerned the inquiry would not look at historical concerns prior to 2016, but Ms Sullivan said: “There is a need to look at patterns of events over a longer period of time before concluding the final timescale of the review. “We are working with NUH on a daily basis to get assurances around safety.” She said the extent of the investigation “does mean that harm may be identified where families may have been unaware; in such instances, these will be escalated to the trust to ensure appropriate actions are taken in relation to reporting incidents, complaints, concerns and the duty of candour.” The CCG has confirmed to The Independent that the inquiry’s terms of reference will be agreed with families who will have a role in shaping how it works and over what timescale it examines.