NHS England has confirmed that Donna Ockenden has been appointed as Chair of the new independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Ockenden has more than 30 years’ experience of working within a variety of health settings both in the UK and internationally. She led the independent review of maternity services at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, the final report of which was published earlier this year.

In a letter to families affected, NHS Chief Operating Officer Sir David Sloman confirmed that Ockenden has accepted the role of chair of the rapid review. He said:

“We are sorry for the distress caused to the families in the delay in announcing a new chair for the review.

“We know we need to get this right for the families who have experienced such terrible loss and been through so much pain already."

On her appointment, Ockenden, said:

“Having a baby is one of the most important times for a family and when women and their babies come into contact with NHS maternity services they should receive the very best and safest care.

“We already know that improvements to maternity care need to be made across the country and families in Nottingham have been through experiences that no family should ever have to go through.

“I am delighted to have been asked by Sir David Sloman to take up the role of chair of this review and will be engaging with families shortly as my first priority. I look forward to working with and listening to families and staff, and working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to deliver a review and recommendations that lead to real change and safer care for women, babies and families in Nottingham as soon as possible”.