It has been announced that an NHS trust is facing prosecution over the deaths of three babies in its maternity care. The Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust has been charged with failing to provide safe care and treatment to both the babies and their mothers. All three deaths occurred in 2021. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has confirmed that the trust has agreed to plead guilty when proceedings take place at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court next week.
NUH is currently being investigated by midwife Donna Ockenden in relation to more than 2,000 cases of maternity care. It’s the largest maternity inquiry ever conducted by the NHS. The CQC has previously prosecuted the trust over maternity failures. In 2023, the trust was fined £800,000 after admitting failings in the care of Wynter Andrews, who died aged 23 minutes in 2019. The fine was the largest ever imposed on an NHS trust over maternity services.
Reports indicate that CQC inspectors began investigating the trust over the deaths of three babies in a 14-week period in 2021. In a statement, the trust’s chief executive, Anthony May, said they had cooperated with the CQC throughout their investigation and don’t plan to comment further on the case.
The consequences of poor maternity care can be extremely serious and in some cases, result in the loss of life. It is therefore essential that organisations are vigilant and maintain a high standard of service delivery at all times to prevent these kinds of tragedies from occurring. The forthcoming prosecution reinforces the need for good quality and safe maternity care. It is hoped this prosecution will provide the families of the affected children with peace and closure
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