Inquiry into Nottingham NHS maternity services failings expected to exceed 1,500 cases – lawyers call for families to come forward.
An independent review into maternity failures at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, been launched, with families encouraged to come forward with their stories.
Senior midwife, Donna Ockenden, was appointed as Chair of the new review in May 2022, having previously been responsible for another large-scale inquiry into maternity services.
Ms Ockenden has said that the Trust will be gathering information relating to potential cases that fall within the following 5 categories:
- Term and intrapartum stillbirths
- Neonatal deaths from 24 weeks gestation that occur up to 28 days of life, including neonatal serious incident reports and neonatal never events
- Babies diagnosed with Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (grades 2 and 3) and other significant hypoxic brain injury
- Maternal deaths up to 42 days post-partum
- Severe maternal harm, such as unexpected admission to Intensive Care Units requiringventilation, major obstetric haemorrhage, peri-partum hysterectomy, major surgical procedures arising from the maternity episode, cases of eclampsia and pulmonary embolus requiring further treatment.
Affected families should have received letters from the independent review panel, asking for their consent to joint the review. If you are concerned with the maternity care you or your baby have received at Nottingham City Hospital or the Queen’s Medical Centre, please consider sending your story to nottsreview@donnaockenden.com. The team will be available to discuss concerns up to 23rd December 2022 and the review will then recommence in the New Year.
As clinical negligence solicitors, we are pleased to see that affected and bereaved families now have an opportunity to have their stories heard as part of an independent and comprehensive review process which will hopefully make sure that no voices go unheard.
If you or a family member think that you may have suffered clinical negligence, either during pregnancy, childbirth or afterwards, there may be a claim for compensation. We are empathetic and experienced lawyers who can guide you through the process, whilst providing you with the support you deserve to come to terms with your grief or injuries you have sustained.
For a free and confidential discussion about whether you may have a claim for clinical negligence, please get in touch with our experts at clinnegenquiryteam@tayloremmet.co.uk or call 0114 218 4000.