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The chief executive of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, Anthony May, has expressed feelings of shock and distress following the release of an independent maternity review, which is noted as the largest of its kind in NHS history. This report, issued on Wednesday, revealed severe systemic failures within the trust that resulted in hundreds of deaths and avoidable harm to both mothers and babies. May acknowledged the severity of the findings but also emphasized his commitment to driving improvement based on the recommendations outlined in Donna Ockenden’s report.
The investigation drew on testimonies and evidence from approximately 2,500 families and over 800 current and former staff members. It found that in 520 cases there were “potentially avoidable” adverse outcomes, with substandard care implicated in the deaths of 155 babies and serious brain injuries to 105 others. Additionally, the review highlighted a “bullying and toxic” culture in the workplace, which discouraged staff from speaking up, with Ockenden attributing much of the problem to a small group of influential leaders who corrupted the environment.
In his response to the report’s publication, May described the event as a “watershed moment” and conveyed deep empathy for the families affected, praising their courage in sharing their experiences repeatedly over the years in hopes that lessons would be learned. He stressed the importance of listening to these families as an essential part of making sustained improvements, noting that some recommendations, such as the implementation of Martha’s Rule in their maternity services, had already been put into place. May admitted that while the trust has not always met expectations regarding accountability for failings, all senior executives still working at NUH had cooperated fully with the review.
The report also revealed that 66 senior current and former staff members were approached for information, with 37 coming forward and 35 interviewed, but others declined to participate. Following this, the government announced an extension of Martha’s Rule, introducing possible prison sentences of up to two years for NHS employees who refuse to engage with similar future reviews. Families affected by the failings have renewed calls for a statutory public inquiry to ensure proper accountability, reflecting ongoing concerns about both individual and organizational responsibility for the tragic outcomes detailed in the report
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