This follows Ms Ockenden’s unprecedented report into maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford revealing that failings led to nearly 300 avoidable baby deaths or babies being brain damaged. Families have since urged Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to appoint Donna Ockenden to investigate maternity care in Nottingham.
Ella Kubicki, Paralegal in Shoosmiths' Birmingham team, says that “independent review of care is of the upmost importance to ensure lessons are learned and that patient safety is paramount. We look forward to the publishing of Donna Ockenden’s report so that families do not have to undergo tragedies like these again.”
Maternity units in Nottingham were rated “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in December 2020, who found “several concerns” including insufficient staffing to provide safe care. The BBC found that there have been over 200 claims against the hospital’s maternity services, 36 of which were for a child who had sustained cerebral palsy because of failings in maternity care.
Shoosmiths Serious Injury welcomes this inquiry and hopes the findings and resultant recommendations are implemented effectively to secure safer maternity care for all women and babies across the UK.
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This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2024
