Biggest ever NHS review into hospital baby deaths as trust refers 100 cases to police

Now 2,000 families have now come forward to report poor care to top midwife Donna Ockenden at latest NHS maternity unit to be investigated for catastrophic failings

The biggest-ever review into baby deaths at an NHS trust has referred over 100 cases to the police.

Now 1,998 families have come forward to share their traumatic birth experiences at Nottingham University Hospitals with the review following hundreds of baby deaths and injuries. The inquiry is headed by Donna Ockenden - the midwifery expert whose landmark Shrewsbury report concluded in March that failures had led to more than 200 deaths of babies. Some babies were stillborn linked to an over-emphasis on natural births while others suffered devastating brain injuries.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Affected families remain at the heart of our investigation into maternity care provision at Nottingham University Hospitals. We are receiving information from Donna Ockenden's review team and our approach is being underpinned by compassion, care and candour toward those affected. Currently, more than 100 cases have been referred to us. I expect the number of referrals will further increase and all cases will be meticulously investigated by a team of skilled and professional investigators who are dedicated to this case."

Ms Ockenden said 827 current and former members of staff at NUH have so far contacted the review to share their experiences - a figure she said is "huge" compared to fewer than 100 medics who came forward during her 2022 review of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. It revealed short-staffed wards and a culture of bullying and cover-up of mistakes. Nottingham University Hospitals has seen 394 families referred to the Family Psychological Support Service because of what they went through.

Some £101 million was paid out in maternity negligence claims against NUH between 2006 and 2023. Ms Ockenden revealed that the police wanted to investigate all the cases her team had considered in her review. She added: "We're in the process of sending material to the police on request regularly."

Tracy Pilcher, Chief Nurse at NUH, said: "We welcome Donna’s feedback and the opportunities it provides us to continue to improve our maternity services. Staff mix and visibility are something that we continue to monitor closely and report on regularly. That said, we know there is more to do, and we are committed to continuing with our drive for improvement. We feel encouraged to see that so many of our staff have engaged with the review.

"However, it is clear from Donna's feedback that there is still more work to do as some colleagues are not feeling the benefit of this in their day-to-day work. I want to apologise for that and will keep listening and using their feedback to continue to deliver improvements in culture and their experience We are committed to both the independent review of maternity services and police investigation and will fully cooperate with their enquiries."

She added that 40 new fully trained and qualified midwives were recruited this autumn.

Reports have now revealed similar failings at Morecambe Bay, Shrewsbury and Telford and East Kent NHS trusts. Parents in Leicester have also called for an independent review into its maternity units following the deaths of their babies. The Maternity Safety Alliance, made up of bereaved families, has written to the government demanding a national statutory inquiry.