Nottingham Maternity Review Finds Hundreds of Families Were Let Down by NHS Care

29 June 2026

Hundreds of families who entrusted the NHS with the care of their babies have today received long-awaited recognition of the devastating experiences they endured, following the publication of the final report into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The independent review, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, is the largest maternity investigation in NHS history. After examining the care of around 2,500 families over more than a decade, the report concludes that many mothers and babies suffered avoidable harm because of repeated failures in maternity care.

For many parents, today’s report is about far more than statistics. It represents years of campaigning, unanswered questions and a determination to ensure that no other family experiences the heartbreak they have lived through.

The review found that 520 mothers and babies either died or suffered avoidable harm, including stillbirths, neonatal deaths, brain injuries and serious maternal injuries. Investigators concluded that many of these tragedies could have been prevented had appropriate care been provided and concerns acted upon sooner.

Throughout the report, families describe moments when they felt their voices were not heard. Many recalled repeatedly telling staff that something did not feel right during pregnancy or labour, only for those concerns to be dismissed or underestimated. In some cases, delays in treatment had life-changing consequences.

Donna Ockenden said the investigation uncovered deep-rooted failings in leadership, staffing and patient safety, but also paid tribute to the courage shown by the families who came forward to tell their stories. Without their determination, she said, many of the lessons identified by the review may never have come to light.

The report describes a culture in which opportunities to learn from mistakes were repeatedly missed. Serious incidents were not always investigated thoroughly, communication between clinical teams was sometimes poor, and concerns raised by staff were not consistently acted upon. Investigators found that these systemic problems continued over many years despite repeated warnings.

Bereaved parents and those caring for children with lifelong disabilities have spoken of the emotional and physical impact the failures have had on their lives. Many families said they had spent years seeking answers, hoping that by sharing their experiences they could help improve maternity care for future generations.

Following publication of the report, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust offered an unreserved apology to every family affected. Trust leaders acknowledged that the standard of care many families received fell far below what they should have expected and said they remain committed to implementing the review’s recommendations.

The Government has also acknowledged the seriousness of the findings, describing the experiences detailed in the report as deeply distressing. Ministers have pledged to improve maternity safety across England, strengthen accountability and ensure lessons from the review are implemented nationally.

Among the recommendations are improved staffing levels, enhanced training for maternity teams, stronger patient safety systems and better support for families following serious incidents. The review also calls for healthcare professionals to place greater emphasis on listening to women and their families when concerns are raised during pregnancy and childbirth.

For the thousands of families involved, today’s report cannot undo the loss of a child or the lasting impact of life-changing injuries. However, many hope it marks an important step towards accountability, meaningful reform and a future in which every family receives the safe, compassionate maternity care they deserve.

The report serves as a powerful reminder that behind every recommendation is a family whose life has been changed forever. Their experiences have shaped one of the most significant investigations ever undertaken into NHS maternity services, with the hope that future parents and babies will be safer because of the lessons learned.