NHS maternity failings review closing to new cases

The largest investigation ever carried out into maternity failings in NHS history is preparing to close to new cases.

Senior midwife Donna Ockenden said 2,297 cases of harm to babies and women were being examined as part of the independent review into Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust.

The inquiry centres on two NHS maternity units overseen by the trust, which runs the Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital.

Ms Ockenden said she was on track to publish her final report findings in June 2026, confirming that cases beyond the end of May will not be part of this review.

Ms Ockenden said the review - which began in September 2022 - had been steadily getting bigger, with more cases being added in recent weeks.

It is set to examine stillbirths, neonatal deaths, significant brain injuries to babies, severe maternal harm and mothers who died.

The bulk of them date between 2012 and the present day.

Ms Ockenden, who led an earlier investigation into the Shropshire maternity scandal, stressed that if she is to deliver her Nottingham findings next year, "the review has to stop somewhere".

She added: "No-one wants Donna Ockenden in Nottingham forever, I'm sure."

The review is expected to include "essential actions" for improving maternity safety across England.

Sarah McCrackle's case is one of those being examined as part of the review.

She believes delays in admitting her into hospital after the first signs of labour at home were to blame for the stillbirth of her son Junior in 2013.

"I phoned the hospital 17 times telling them my labour had started," she said.

"I was under consultant care because of 18 previous miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy, but was repeatedly told to stay at home because there were no beds available on the labour suite."

Miss McCrackle, 53, from Bilborough in Nottingham, insisted her concerns were not listened to.

"Eventually, after more than 17 hours, I decided to turn up at the Queen's Medical Centre anyway," she said.

"I was kept waiting in an empty antenatal ward. I knew something was wrong - the baby stopped kicking.

"Eventually an ultrasound scan revealed there was no heartbeat. I was in shock, heartbroken and gave birth to my dead baby boy."

Miss McCrackle urged anyone with experiences about maternity services, which they want to share with the review team, to get in touch before the 31 May deadline.

Responding to Miss McCrackle's case, Tracy Pilcher, chief nurse at the trust, said: "We would like to offer our sincere apologies to Sarah McCrackle and her family for the care she received in 2013, and the sad loss of her son Junior.

"If Sarah would be willing to, we would be very happy to meet her and her family to discuss, listen and learn from her experiences.

"Our maternity services are improving and we are committed to continuing to make meaningful improvements in our maternity and neonatal services to ensure that every family receives safe, compassionate and the high quality care that they deserve.

"We know there is more to do."

Patients and staff who wish to share their experiences of NHS maternity care in Nottingham can contact the Donna Ockenden review team via [email protected], and have until 31 May to indicate that they wish to contribute their thoughts.

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