Labour MP for Sherwood Forest Michelle Welsh will lead a Learning and Improvement Board at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Trust after "deeply embedded systemic failures" led to deaths and avoidable harm to babies and mothers.
Published yesterday (24th), the The Independent Maternity Review, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, concluded there were potentially avoidable outcomes for mothers and babies in 520 cases.
The review found the harm was rarely the result of a single issue or specific failing but was linked to multiple factors, including failures in monitoring babies, poor interpretation of heart monitoring, a failure to recognise babies were in distress during labour and a failure to escalate some cases to senior doctors.
Anthony May, Chief Executive of NUH, said:
“The publication of the Independent Maternity Review is a watershed moment, particularly for the affected women and families who have engaged with the Review. It is very important that we have robust, independent oversight of the implementation of the Review’s findings. We are committed to a comprehensive and sustained response to every action.
“Two years ago, we made a public commitment to ensure continued scrutiny of our maternity services, and this Board is a key part of delivering on that promise.
“In the coming weeks, we will publish a detailed action plan setting out how every action will be addressed, with clear timescales and named accountability. We will continue to involve families and staff in shaping our response, and in holding us to account.
“We will work closely with the Learning and Improvement Board, NHS England, our regulators, commissioners, local families, partners and maternity experts to ensure improvements are delivered and sustained.”
Michelle Welsh said:
“The findings of the Independent Maternity Review reinforce the urgent need for change in our maternity services. For that reason, I have agreed to Chair the NUH Learning and Improvement Board.
“I acknowledge the suffering experienced by the families at the heart of this review, whose courage in speaking out has brought to light the desperate need for change.
“Having campaigned for improvements in maternity services for the past five and a half years, I am committed to working collectively with families, staff and partners to ensure lasting improvements are made.”
