Horrific Maternity Care Failings in Nottingham: 520 Mothers and Babies Harmed
A devastating review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust reveals 520 mothers and babies suffered potentially avoidable harm or died between 2012 and 2025, prompting calls for a public inquiry into NHS maternity care across England.
A three-year review has exposed what is described as the biggest childbirth scandal in NHS history. Led by maternity safety expert Donna Ockenden, the report found that 444 women and 76 newborn babies experienced 'potentially avoidable' outcomes at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust (NUH) from 2012 to 2025.
Health Secretary James Murray called the findings 'horrific' and 'chilling', stating that families suffered 'dangerously and tragically deficient care at almost every turn'. The report details a toxic culture of neglect, incompetence, racism, and bullying by intimidating cliques of staff. Understaffing was routine, and lessons from patient safety incidents were not learned.
The Nottingham Maternity Families group, representing about 600 affected families, has called for a statutory public inquiry into maternity and neonatal care across the entire NHS. Murray confirmed the government is considering the request but noted that not all families support a public inquiry, though all want accountability and change.
Ockenden's 401-page report examined the deaths of 27 mothers between 2006 and 2024, identifying failures in care that may have substantially impacted the outcome in six cases. Common failures included staff not listening to women, delays in scans, poor monitoring, and mismanagement of labour. Detailed reviews of 31 newborn deaths concluded that with better care, the deaths could likely have been avoided.
The report also revealed that many senior executives refused to cooperate with the review: almost half of 66 current and former NUH executives declined to give evidence. Ockenden described the trust as dysfunctional and determined to hide the truth. In response, the government announced that Martha's rule – allowing patients a second opinion – will be implemented in all maternity units, and refusing to give evidence to future inquiries could lead to up to two years in prison.
NUH chief executive Anthony May and chair Nick Carver issued an unreserved apology to affected families. Murray pledged that the government and NHS leaders will deliver lasting change, and Ockenden's findings will inform a new action plan from the Department of Health's maternity taskforce.
