Letters cite attitudes and understaffing in NHS maternity failures
6 reported
A series of letters published in The Guardian on June 7, 2026, respond to a previous article about failings in maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. One letter writer, who was personally affected by the failings, states that austerity does not excuse repeated failures and describes an ingrained arrogance and unwillingness to listen or learn among staff. Another letter writer, a GP, recalls working in obstetrics 20 years ago and says he saw midwives show contempt for patients, though he acknowledges underresourced environments may have been a factor. A third letter writer, a doctor, states that during six months in obstetrics and gynaecology, midwives had a superior attitude toward junior doctors and avoided medical intervention, a mindset he says was exposed in a 2015 inquiry into morbidity at Furness General Hospital.
What’s reported
One letter writer was personally affected by failings in maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The writer states that austerity does not excuse repeated failings and that understaffing did not prevent routine care such as wound inspections and sample taking.
The writer describes an ingrained arrogance and unwillingness to listen or learn among staff, and says the consequences were nearly fatal, with no apology or accountability.
A GP letter writer recalls working in obstetrics 20 years ago and says he saw midwives show contempt for patients, though he notes underresourced environments may have been a factor.
A doctor letter writer states that during six months in obstetrics and gynaecology, midwives had a superior attitude to junior doctors and avoided medical intervention.
The doctor references a 2015 inquiry into morbidity at Furness General Hospital in Barrow that found these attitudes resulted in maternal and neonatal harm.
Key figures
Kate Simpson (letter writer, Beeston, Nottinghamshire)
Dr Thomas C McAnea (GP, Sheffield)
Dr Michael Stevenson (Bootle, Cumbria)
Zoe Williams (author of the original article referenced)
Sources: The Guardian
