Newark and Bingham MP Robert Jenrick wants maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust thoroughly investigated
The Newark and Bingham MP wants to see failing maternity services at a hospital trust thoroughly investigated.
Robert Jenrick has met with health minister Maria Caulfield as regards the investigation in to maternity care at Nottingham University Trust Hospitals — which runs Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital.
Dozens of parents have spoken out about the problems at the hospital trust, many incidents which have included avoidable baby deaths.
Senior NHS physiotherapist Sarah Hawkins and husband Dr Jack Hawkins blew the whistle on problems at Nottingham University Hospital after the death of their daughter Harriet, who was stillborn in 2016.
They said they felt appointing Donna Ockenden, a respected health care leader who reviewed maternity failings at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, to carry out the investigation was the only solution.
Now, Mr Jenrick has also said Ms Ockenden should take on the inquiry.
"I attended a meeting with the health minister Maria Caulfield MP and fellow Nottinghamshire MP Lillian Greenwood regarding the Nottingham University Hospital investigation and review of incidents relating to maternity care," Mr Jenrick told the Advertiser.
"In the meeting I sought assurances on how the review was being handled following the recent departure of the chairwoman.
"I want to see the issue thoroughly investigated so families affected can get answer and justice. It is also important for lessons to be learned to protect other mothers.
"For this, the review process needs to be robust and led by a credible figure (such as Donna Ockenden, who delivered the report on maternity failings at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust) and where possible provide findings reasonably quickly — so improvements can be made and confidence restored.
"In the meeting I was informed that the Secretary of State for Health Sajid Javid has met with families affected to hear their concerns and stories."
Mr Jenrick has asked anyone affected, or those who believe they may have been, to contact him in confidence via email at robert.jenrick.mp@parliament.uk
More than 100 bereaved families wrote to the health secretary Sajid Javid in April calling for the review to be overhauled and the chair Cathy Purt to be replaced by Ms Ockenden. Former NHS chair Julie Dent was appointed but stepped down on May 4 because of 'personal reasons'.
In response to a letter from the families, Ms Ockenden said she would be happy to lead the review subject to being asked. It is not clear whether the Department of Health and Social Care had contacted Ms Ockenden.
Mr Javid said: “I take patient safety concerns extremely seriously, no mother or baby should ever receive unsafe maternity care.
“Like with the Ockenden review, we are acting swiftly to urgently bring about real change through the Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Review so that no families have to go through the same pain in future.
“I am confident the appointment of Julie Dent — with her extensive leadership and health sector experience — will deliver an independent review that addresses these tragic failures.”
The Independent and Channel 4 revealed the news that millions had been paid out by Nottingham University Hospitals Trust following 30 baby deaths and 46 incidents of babies left permanently brain damaged.
