Nottingham maternity review finds 520 mothers and babies harmed or died
12 reported
A three-year review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) found that 444 women and 76 newborn babies suffered “potentially avoidable” outcomes between 2012 and 2025, prompting calls for a public inquiry into maternity care across England. Health Secretary James Murray described the failings as “horrific” and “chilling,” stating that families suffered “dangerously and tragically deficient care at almost every turn.” The review, led by maternity safety expert Donna Ockenden, detailed a “bullying and toxic culture,” routine understaffing, and failures to learn from patient safety incidents at Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital. The Nottingham Maternity Families group, representing about 600 harmed and bereaved families, has asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer to establish a statutory public inquiry, a request the government is considering. Murray noted that not all affected families support a public inquiry, but all want accountability and change. The report also found that almost half of 66 current and former NUH executives asked to engage with the review did not do so, and only four of 14 leaders from local NHS bodies participated. Murray announced that Martha’s rule, giving patients the right to an independent second opinion, will be implemented at every maternity unit in England, and future NHS staff who refuse to give evidence to maternity inquiries could face up to two years in jail.
What’s reported
The review examined maternity services at NUH between 2012 and 2025.
444 women and 76 newborn babies suffered “potentially avoidable” outcomes.
27 maternal deaths between 2006 and 2024 were investigated, with failures identified in six deaths.
31 newborn deaths were examined, with findings that they received inadequate care.
2,536 families and 838 current or former NUH staff gave evidence.
A “bullying and toxic culture” persisted at NUH over many years.
Both maternity units were consistently seriously short-staffed.
One baby girl who died early in gestation was “inadvertently disposed of as clinical waste by laboratory staff after her postmortem examination.”
Almost half of 66 current and former NUH executives asked to engage did not do so.
Only four of 14 leaders from local NHS bodies contacted participated.
Martha’s rule will be implemented at every maternity unit in England.
Future NHS staff who refuse to give evidence to maternity inquiries could face up to two years in jail.
Key figures
James Murray, health secretary
Donna Ockenden, maternity safety expert and review lead
Jack and Sarah Hawkins, parents of Harriet Hawkins
Kim Thomas, chief executive of the Birth Trauma Association
Anthony May, NUH chief executive
Nick Carver, NUH chair
Sajid Javid, former health secretary who ordered the review in 2022
Sources: The Guardian
