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NUH responds to outcome of Independent Maternity Review
Today, Wednesday 24 June, the findings from the Independent Maternity Review (IMR) into services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) was published.
The Review, led by Donna Ockenden, outlines how, where and why care in our services had resulted in harm to mothers and babies in their hospitals and made recommendations of actions to improve care in the future.
We fully accept the findings of the Review and take responsibility for the failings that are detailed within it. An initial response to the review, shared by Chief Executive Anthony May and Trust Chair Nick Carver, follows.
We will now take time to carefully consider and reflect further on the Review outcomes and its recommendations.
An open letter to the people and communities of Nottinghamshire
The publication of the independent review into maternity services in Nottingham is a watershed moment for affected families, our staff and for the communities we serve.
We apologise unreservedly to the women and families who have suffered harm, loss, trauma or distress while receiving care in our services.
We failed you, and on behalf of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, we accept responsibility for our failings.
Many families have been generous enough to meet with us, showing extraordinary courage and determination. We are grateful for that, and we want you to know that the publication of this report is not the end of a process. It is another important milestone in a journey that must continue. Your bravery and commitment to speaking up is helping improve maternity care.
We want to thank Donna Ockenden for her work and for engaging with us throughout this process. Donna’s review has provided an opportunity to hear directly from thousands of families and staff. The direct feedback we have had throughout has helped us with our improvement efforts. As a result, whilst there is more to do, important changes have been made and we believe our services are now safer, kinder and better led.
We recognise that trust is earned through actions, not words. We know, also, that families and the wider public will judge us not by what we say today, but by what we do next.
The review makes clear that while improvements have been made, there is still more to do. We will take time to reflect on the report with humility, honesty and determination. At the same time, we will work with families on a meaningful apology because we know it is important to them that this is reflective of the findings of the review, and our commitment to lasting improvement. We can say with certainty that families will continue to be involved in our improvement plans because this review has proved that we can learn from them.
We must also acknowledge our staff. Every day we see dedicated, compassionate professionals working tirelessly to provide the best possible care for women and families, often under extreme pressure and scrutiny. Whilst the publication of the report will be difficult for them too, we know they will reflect on the findings of the review and see this as an opportunity to continue our improvement journey. To these colleagues, we want to say that we know that we did not always provide you with the right conditions to do your jobs as you would wish and we take responsibility for that.
At Nottingham University Hospitals, we are determined to provide maternity services that are consistently safe, compassionate, equitable and responsive. We want every family to have confidence in the care they receive. We want to reassure anyone using our services today that you will be safe in our care.
On behalf of the Trust, we renew the commitments to transparency, openness and accountability. Most importantly, we renew our commitment to providing safe, high-quality maternity care at your hospitals.
Nick Carver
Trust Chairman
Anthony May
Chief Executive
For further information about the IMR, FAQs and actions already taken following feedback throughout the review, please visit our Maternity pages.
If you are concerned about the care you received in our maternity services, we are here to listen. Please contact us on: 0800 183 0204 or email nuhnt.PALS@nhs.net