Ockenden report on Nottingham NHS maternity scandal to reveal 'horrendous' failings
The report by Donna Ockenden into Nottingham's maternity scandal, the biggest in NHS history, will detail 'horrendous' care failures including racism towards mothers, covering over 2,500 cases of baby and mother deaths or injuries.
Biggest maternity scandal in NHS history
A report into the largest maternity scandal in NHS history is set to be published on Wednesday, revealing 'horrendous' failings at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital. According to a source familiar with the findings, the document details appalling behaviour over many years, including racism directed at mothers.
The report, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, spans more than 350 pages and covers 2,505 cases between 1 April 2012 and 31 May 2025, involving babies and mothers who died, were stillborn, or suffered injuries. Ockenden began her inquiry in May 2022. About 2,505 families and 850 current and former NHS trust staff gave evidence.
Police investigation and calls for a statutory inquiry
Nottinghamshire police are still considering corporate manslaughter charges against the trust. Their Operation Perth is examining care received by at least 200 families. The Nottingham Maternity Families Group has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to order a statutory public inquiry into maternity care across England.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is investigating 96 midwives and nurses for alleged misconduct; 15 cases are under full investigation, and one midwife has been suspended.
Political response and improvements
Health Secretary James Murray has pledged to act on Ockenden's recommendations, vowing not to let them 'sit on a shelf'. Government maternity adviser Michelle Welsh, who herself had a traumatic birth at Nottingham City Hospital, said she is in discussions about a full public inquiry. She revealed that a senior obstetrician tried to convince her there was no problem.
Trust chief executive Anthony May, who took over in 2022, apologised to affected families and pointed to improvements in staff recruitment and retention. However, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in March still rated maternity services as 'requires improvement'.
Ockenden noted that Nottingham's maternity culture is improving in 2026 but said there remains work to do.
