Lady Amos' review finds England's maternity and neonatal services unfit for purpose, citing systemic failures and a "cover-up culture." Recommendations include automatic rights to independent investigations for dissatisfied families and binding national standards for maternity triage.
A landmark maternity review led by Donna Ockenden found over 500 mothers and babies suffered avoidable harm or died due to systemic failings at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Leaders knew of issues since 2010 but failed to act. The government is extending Martha's Rule and may compel staff to give evidence, with potential prison sentences for non-cooperation.
A report uncovered systemic, deep-rooted, and sustained failures in maternity and neonatal care, leading to severe harm or death for mothers and babies. It highlighted ignored patient concerns, a toxic workplace culture with chronic understaffing, and exacerbated health inequalities for minority groups, causing significant psychological trauma.
A major report into maternity failures at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust, investigating around 2,500 families' experiences between 2012 and 2025, will be released this week. Led by Donna Ockenden, the inquiry covers stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and severe injuries, following a decade-long campaign for justice.
