Statement from Nick Carver, Chair of the Board at NUH | Latest news

Statement from Nick Carver, Chair of the Board at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in response to the Independent Maternity Review, led by Donna Ockenden

Yesterday (Wednesday 24 June 2026), I was present when Donna presented the findings of her Independent Review. From what I have heard and read so far, it is clear that we have failed in our provision of maternity services. Specifically, we have failed the families and communities that we exist to serve. Our failings have caused harm, loss and lifelong pain and suffering. The consequences are profound.

The Chief Executive of the Trust, Anthony May and I have agreed with the affected families that we will work with them on a full and meaningful apology when we have read and considered Donna's report in full. We need some time to do that.

Today, however, it is important that I make an initial apology for the failures of the Trust on behalf of the Board. We are sincerely sorry for what has happened and for the harm which has been caused.

Now the Independent Review has been published; we will take time to read and understand Donna's findings. What I can offer today is the absolute commitment of the Trust Board to ongoing improvement, open and transparent, independently led governance of that improvement and the long-term engagement of families.

Over the years of Donna's review, we have learned a great deal from the families, but we know there is much more to learn. From our engagement with the families, I know that taking accountability for our failings and securing lasting improvement is how we will restore trust and confidence in our maternity services.

To this end, on behalf of the Trust Board, I accept full responsibility for what has happened. It does not matter that many of the failings identified happened in the past because it is this Board which will deal with the lasting legacy of the failings and the harm caused. At the same time, it is this Board that will work to secure sustainable improvements.

Whilst today is not a day to talk about the improvements we have made in recent years, I am encouraged by the acknowledgement made by Donna of the many areas where things have improved. Whilst this is a helpful reflection of our commitment to maternity services, it is clear that we have much more to do.

I want to pay tribute to the more than 2,500 families who have been part of the Independent Review. 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.

I would like to say a few words about the work of our staff. First of all, I want to thank the more than 800 staff who engaged with the Independent Review. Your feedback is invaluable and will be treated with the respect and seriousness it deserves.

Secondly, I want to apologise to you all because we have not always provided you with the environment for the provision of safe care. I know you work hard every day, often under difficult circumstances, and I am grateful to you. We will do all we can to support you.

I should also like to thank Donna Ockenden and her team. Donna is a formidable and lifelong advocate for women, families and safe maternity care. We have engaged with Donna's review from day one, and Donna has been very helpful in providing us with ongoing feedback, which has helped with our improvement efforts. The Chief Executive and I are grateful to Donna for all that she has done for local women and families, and for the way in which she has reached out to so many local communities, with a particular focus on those who are often not heard. I know from discussions with families just how much the work of Donna and her team means to them and we are equally grateful. In addition, we are appreciative of the efforts Donna has gone to, through the Staff Voices initiative, to engage with our staff.

It is of vital importance that we carefully consider the findings of the Review, and that we use them to improve. There is an need to implement the Review's urgent and immediate actions, but there is an equally important requirement to read and understand the entirety of the Review, so that we can make the maximum use of what Donna and her team have identified. This is not least because so many families have had the courage to contribute.

The work of responding to the Review must be done openly and transparently, and in partnership with families and our staff. To that end, I am pleased to announce today that Michelle Welsh MP, has agreed to Chair a Learning and Improvement Board, which will oversee our improvement. Michelle is the Government's Maternity Adviser, and has personal experience of poor care in our Maternity Services. I want to thank Michelle for agreeing to assist us and I want to offer Michelle all the necessary support in undertaking this important task on behalf of local women and families.

I know that words cannot make up for what has happened. We cannot change the past, but we can influence the future. Whilst it is not comfortable to see our failings laid bare, we must see this as a watershed moment and embrace the findings of the Review and the crucially important messages it contains about the quality of our maternity services and the way in which we provide them. Through ongoing engagement with the affected families and our staff, we can use the Review to make lasting improvements and to restore public trust and confidence. That is our duty and the commitment of the Trust Board.