**Nottingham maternity scandal: Inquiry finds ‘abhorrent’ culture of abuse**.
An inquiry into the maternity scandal at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has found a culture of ‘abhorrent’ abuse and neglect of mothers and babies..
The independent inquiry, led by Donna Ockenden, was commissioned in 2020 after concerns were raised about high levels of maternal and neonatal deaths and injuries at the trust..
The inquiry’s report, which was published on Thursday, found that between 2010 and 2020 there were 201 cases of babies dying during or shortly after birth at the trust, and 39 cases of mothers dying during or shortly after childbirth..
The report also found that there were 1,537 cases of babies suffering serious brain injuries during or shortly after birth at the trust, and 228 cases of mothers suffering serious injuries during or shortly after childbirth..
The inquiry found that the trust had a ‘toxic’ culture which was ‘characterized by bullying, a lack of accountability, and an unwillingness to listen to the concerns of mothers and families’..
The report said that the culture of abuse and neglect had led to ‘appalling’ care for mothers and babies, and that the trust had ‘failed in its duty of care’ to them..
The inquiry made a number of recommendations to improve maternity care at the trust, including:.
* Appointing a new chief executive and medical director.
* Creating a new culture of safety and respect.
* Improving training for staff.
* Investing in new equipment.
The trust has apologized for the ‘appalling’ care provided to mothers and babies, and has promised to implement the inquiry’s recommendations..
The Department of Health and Social Care has said that it will work with the trust to ensure that the recommendations are implemented..
The inquiry’s findings are a damning indictment of the maternity care provided at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The trust’s culture of abuse and neglect led to appalling care for mothers and babies, and resulted in the unnecessary deaths of many..
The trust must now implement the inquiry’s recommendations in full to ensure that such a scandal never happens again..
