A long-awaited public inquiry begins into maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals after a shocking independent review exposed a series of serious failings, including the unnecessary deaths of babies. The inquiry, chaired by inquiry chairwoman Julia Cumberlege, will examine the experiences of more than 500 families whose babies died or were left with severe disabilities after being born at Nottingham University Hospitals between 1993 and 2020. The inquiry will also consider whether a culture of poor practice and bullying contributed to these failings. The evidence presented to the inquiry is expected to include:
* Details of how babies were left unattended, leading to hypoxia and brain damage
* Examples of doctors failing to properly investigate and respond to concerns raised by parents
* Instances of babies dying needlessly as a result of substandard care
* Evidence of a culture of bullying and intimidation among staff at Nottingham University Hospitals, leading to a climate of fear that prevented staff from raising concerns about poor practice.
One of the most shocking revelations ahead of the inquiry is the suggestion that the deaths of babies at Nottingham University Hospitals may be linked to the use of ‘baby diaries’ that were kept by midwives. It is alleged that these diaries were used to record details of babies’ conditions, but that they were often inaccurate and incomplete. This may have led to babies not receiving the appropriate care and attention, resulting in their deaths.
The independent review into maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals was led by Donna Ockenden and was published in December 2022. The review found that there were ‘serious failings’ in care at the hospital, which had led to the unnecessary deaths of babies and avoidable harm to mothers.
The inquiry is expected to last for up to two years. It will hear evidence from families affected by the scandal, as well as from healthcare professionals, hospital managers, and government officials. The inquiry will make recommendations for changes to maternity care in the UK to ensure that such a scandal never happens again.
**Key questions for the inquiry**
* What were the specific failings that led to the deaths of babies and avoidable harm to mothers at Nottingham University Hospitals?
* What role did the use of ‘baby diaries’ play in these failings?
* Was there a culture of poor practice and bullying at Nottingham University Hospitals, and did this contribute to the failings?
* What changes are needed to maternity care in the UK to ensure that such a scandal never happens again?
The inquiry is a vital opportunity to get to the truth about what happened at Nottingham University Hospitals and to ensure that lessons are learned. We must never forget the babies who died or were left with severe disabilities as a result of the failings in care at this hospital. We owe it to them and their families to ensure that such a scandal never happens again..
