Latest news with #maternitycare
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Parents welcome police probe into Nottingham baby deaths
Parents whose babies died under the care of maternity units in Nottingham have welcomed a corporate manslaughter investigation into an NHS trust but say it is just a "piece of the jigsaw".Nottinghamshire Police confirmed the inquiry on Monday into Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust - at the centre of the largest maternity inquiry in NHS history - after failings led to hundreds of babies dying or being injured. The mum and dad of Wynter Andrews, who died 23 minutes after being born in 2019 and of Harriet Hawkins, who was stillborn in 2016, welcomed the development, adding it look a "long time" to reach. NUH said it hoped "affected families receive the answers that they deserve". Wynter's father, Gary Andrews, told the BBC: "We've known for some time that what happened to us and our daughter Wynter shouldn't have happened, but to be explored at a criminal level - that is pretty worrying. "But we're glad the police are taking action." NUH was fined £800,000 in 2023 after admitting failings in Wynter's care in a criminal prosecution brought by healthcare regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).The court heard how a "catalogue of failings" exposed Wynter and her mum Sarah Andrews to a "significant risk of harm". Wynter died from a loss of oxygen flow to her brain which could have been prevented had staff delivered her earlier. Mr and Mrs Andrews - who have previously been critical of regulators like the CQC - added that they hoped the watchdog would acknowledge the seriousness of the police inquiry and "act earlier" within their own capacity in future. A spokesperson for the CQC said it had "repeatedly held the trust to account" and continued to monitor the service said: "We have been clear with the trust where standards of care have fallen short and clear where action must be taken to ensure a safer service.""The findings from CQC's latest inspection of the trust's maternity services was published in March. "We continue to monitor the service closely and can inspect at any time should we have concerns that people may be at risk." 'Element of justice' Mrs Wynter added: "There have been so many families harmed and so many babies have died - and for us it's nice to know the police are now going to be investigating."But the Andrews and others, including Sarah and Jack Hawkins - the parents of Harriet Hawkins - believe there should be even further have long maintained "individuals need to be held to account". Harriet was delivered nine hours after dying at Nottingham City Hospital in April 2016 and an external review of the case concluded the death was "almost certainly preventable". "We think the investigation is great and it's really positive but it's just one piece of the jigsaw," Ms Hawkins said. However she added there was an "element of justice just getting this investigation". Mr Hawkins called the police inquiry a "huge development", adding: "Can you imagine another industry or business or school or road where there was so much death and harm from proven negligence and neglect in coroners court where it was just allowed to continue?" In a statement released by police on Monday, Det Supt Matthew Croome, from the investigation team, said: "The offence relates to circumstances where an organisation has been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death."In such an investigation we are looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals and my investigation will look to ascertain if there is evidence that the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has committed this offence."It comes months after the trust was fined £1.6m in a second CQC prosecution for maternity failings in connection with the deaths of three babies in 2021. A joint statement from the hospital trust's chair Nick Carver and its chief executive Anthony May said: "We are fully committed to the ongoing police investigation and the Independent Review of Maternity Services, led by Donna Ockenden."We would like to reassure the public that we are determined to improve our maternity services."We know how important the police investigation and independent review are for the affected families, the trust and our local communities. We hope that affected families receive the answers that they deserve."
ABC News
19 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
First-time mum left feeling 'devastated' after facing questions over her weight at hospital appointments
First-time mum Emily Chamberlain went into her 20-week pregnancy check-up jittery and excited. "Falling pregnant took us a little while so when we did it already felt like such a miracle," she said. She left "devastated and in tears", after being told that her body was putting her baby at-risk. Ms Chamberlain said the midwife at the regional Queensland hospital had determined her pregnancy as high-risk due to her body mass index (BMI). "My overall health physically just didn't really come into it; despite the fact me and bub were doing really well." The 31-year-old said she saw a new clinician at every appointment, and her weight was discussed each time. "After the third appointment where I was lectured about my weight, instead of supported to be a healthy mother, I came home sobbing," she said. Maternity researchers say every year expectant mothers across the country experience weight discrimination during pregnancy, something they say is unfounded in medical research and dangerous to both the mother and baby. Obstetric physician Leonie Callaway leads a new program at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, which aims to dismantle the "profoundly troubling" bias against larger bodied women in medicine. Professor Callaway said she knew the system was broken after hearing from a patient who was told "she was too fat" to go ahead with a routine maternity procedure. "We are not saying that some women won't need particular attention, but if you fat shame them they're going to disengage entirely and not get the care they need for what could be a higher-risk pregnancy," she said. BMI is a method used to sort patients by weight into four categories from underweight to obese. It's calculated by dividing someone's weight by their height in square metres. Professor Callaway said the use of BMI has long been contested because while it is a "useful scientific measure" on an individual basis it "doesn't account for any of the things that go towards an individual's actual health". "Shame and stigma don't support healthy lifestyle changes, they just get in the way of health care engagement; the result is women and babies exposed to unnecessary harm," she said. While it's well documented weight plays an important role in a healthy pregnancy, public health experts say there's a raft of environmental factors which need to be tackled well before a woman steps into an obstetrician's office. Health psychology researcher at Monash University, Dr Briony Hill, believes "focusing on body weight and size when a woman is already pregnant takes away from a woman centred approach". "What we should be doing is focusing on her health and wellbeing and working out how we can help her have the best pregnancy outcome," she said. Ms Chamberlain lives in a farming town on Queensland's Darling Downs, where the nearest hospital is five kilometres up the road from her family home. She was told she needed to travel almost two hours to a larger facility due to her BMI, even though she and her baby were healthy throughout her whole pregnancy. Maternity wellbeing research shows the importance of limiting unnecessary stress on mothers during pregnancy cannot be overstated. "We know depression and anxiety during pregnancy pose a major risk for mums and babies in the long and short term," Dr Hill said. "Mothers can struggle to bond with their babies and it's not just emotional but physical too, there's the risk of high blood pressure and a reduction in breastfeeding rates." A key finding from Professor Callaway's program was the significance of providing appropriate infrastructure for all bodies. "Something as simple as having the right sized beds and chairs makes a space welcoming," she said. "We'd hear of women coming in to have their observations taken and suddenly there's this great hunt to find a blood pressure cuff that fits, and that's humiliating, when in reality 50 per cent of women will need a larger cuff during their maternity." Professor Callaway's research hopes to educate clinicians on just how damaging their words can be to an expecting mother. "There's a lot of nuance in providing maternity care but the bottom line is we need to take a look at the woman in front of us and not just the black and white data of a BMI," Professor Callaway said. After months of feeling shamed and unheard in the public health system, Ms Chamberlain enlisted a private midwife to provide consistent care. She said having a clinician who considered her whole health as opposed to just her BMI in isolation "changed her pregnancy". Despite the uphill battle she faced, Ms Chamberlain gave birth naturally to a healthy little boy. Now almost two-years-old, her son Levi is a daily reminder of Ms Chamberlain's strength during an incredibly trying time.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Nottingham NHS trust faces corporate manslaughter investigation over baby deaths
An NHS trust will be subjected to a corporate manslaughter investigation after a series of baby deaths. In September 2023, Nottinghamshire Police launched a criminal investigation after concerns were raised about severe harm allegedly linked to maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). On Monday, the force said it was looking at whether NUH had been 'grossly negligent in the management of its activities' in the lead-up to deaths at the trust. NUH is also currently the subject of the largest-ever NHS maternity review, led by Donna Ockenden, a former senior midwife. The review is examining more than 2,000 experiences of maternity care at the trust, including deaths and injuries. The parents of a baby who was stillborn under the care of the trust said the corporate manslaughter investigation 'is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability'. Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who both used to work for the trust until their daughter Harriet died in 2016, said: 'Our lives were completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma at the hands of NUH. 'A prosecution for corporate manslaughter will only penalise the trust, not the individuals responsible, many of whom are still working today. 'We must never lose sight of individual accountability for those who so cruelly stole not just our daughter's life and voice but many others. We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have been shattered.' 'Families ignored and turned away' In a statement, a group of affected families said the probe was 'welcome' but added that 'no investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering'. It read: 'Today's announcement is one of mixed emotions. We wholeheartedly welcome and support the investigation into corporate manslaughter at NUH. 'It is also tinged with sadness that it has taken so many tragedies for this investigation to have been opened. Over many years, families have repeatedly raised concerns over maternity safety, only to be ignored and turned away. 'Had our concerns been listened to and acted upon, lives could have been saved. No investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering that thousands of families have endured, but right now, families are feeling an immense sense of vindication.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Scandal-hit NHS trust faces corporate manslaughter probe over deaths of hundreds of babies
A SCANDAL-HIT NHS trust is being investigated for potential offences of corporate manslaughter after hundreds of babies died or were seriously injured. Detectives launched a criminal investigation in 2023 over allegations of severe harm that allegedly unfolded at Nottingham university hospitals (NUH) NHS trust. 2 2 Nottinghamshire police on Monday revealed that inquiry was now focused on corporate manslaughter. Police are reviewing more than 200 alleged failures of maternity care at NUH but this figure could rise to about 2,500. Detective Superintendent Matthew Croome said: "I have now formally commenced the investigation into corporate manslaughter relating to the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. 'The offences relate to circumstances where an organisation has been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death. 'In such an investigation, we are looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals. 'My investigation will look to ascertain if there is evidence that the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has committed this offence.' Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who blew the whistle on the maternity scandal after the stillbirth of their daughter Harriet in 2016, said the corporate manslaughter investigation "is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability". They said: "Our lives were completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma at the hands of NUH. "This investigation is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability. "A prosecution for corporate manslaughter will only penalise the trust, not the individuals responsible, many of whom are still working today. Dozens of babies and mums died in 'worst-ever' NHS maternity scandal, leaked report reveals "We must never lose sight of individual accountability for those who so cruelly stole not just our daughter's life and voice but many others. "We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have shattered." In a statement, NUH said it was right that the trust took 'organisational accountability where we have failed women, families and babies'. Nick Carver, the chair, and Anthony May, the chief executive, said: 'We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering caused. We know that for many families this harm and suffering will be lifelong.' The bosses said they were fully committed to the ongoing investigations and that since joining the NUH board they had 'emphasised the importance of openness, transparency and accountability' but that 'there is more to do'. They added: 'Many families have shared their experiences with us, and we remain grateful for their strength and courage after such a harrowing and life affecting tragedy... 'We know how important the police investigation and independent review are for the affected families, the trust and our local communities. We hope that affected families receive the answers that they deserve.' AN INDEPENDENT review of maternity services at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was launched in 2022. It is being led by top midwife Donna Ockenden, who also investigated failings at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, one of the biggest patient safety scandals in NHS history. More than 2,000 cases dating back to 2012 are involved in the Nottingham review, which means it could be even worse than Shrewsbury. Local police are also investigating the services separately from the review. Families have come forward after hundreds of babies and mums died or were seriously brain damaged or injured while under the care of the Nottingham hospitals. The review will determine to what extent the deaths and injuries could have been prevented and how shortcomings, errors or negligence by medical and managerial staff at Nottingham City Hospital and Queen's Medical Centre may have contributed to families' suffering. The review team said: "This Review has been established in light of significant concerns raised regarding the quality and safety of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and concerns of local families." Ms Ockenden is expected to report her findings in 2026.
Sky News
a day ago
- Health
- Sky News
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust investigated for potential corporate manslaughter offences
An NHS trust is being investigated for potential corporate manslaughter offences, police say. Nottinghamshire Police said its investigation follows deaths and serious injuries allegedly related to maternity care at the trust. The force launched a criminal investigation in September 2023, after concerns were raised linked to maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust. More than 2,000 experiences of maternity care at the trust are currently being looked at as part of the largest-ever NHS maternity review, led by former senior midwife Donna Ockenden. The trust says it is "fully committed" to both the police investigation and the independent review. The parents of a baby who was stillborn under the trust's care said the fresh investigation was "just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability". Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins both worked for the trust, until the death of their daughter Harriet in 2016. They said their lives were "completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma". "We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have shattered," they added. The Nottingham affected families group said in a statement that the investigation was "welcome" but that no probe would "ever reverse the harm and suffering". Detective Superintendent Matthew Croome said the investigation into corporate manslaughter had now "formally commenced". "The offences relates to circumstances where an organisation has been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death," he added. "In such an investigation, we are looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals, and my investigation will look to ascertain if there is evidence that the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has committed this offence." Nick Carver, chair of the trust, and Anthony May, its chief executive, said they were "determined to improve our maternity services". "We know how important the police investigation and independent review are for the affected families, the trust and our local communities," they added. "We hope that affected families receive the answers that they deserve."
