NMC welcomes appointment of Leeds Hospital maternity review chair

The nursing regulator has welcomed the appointment of a chair to lead the maternity inquiry in Leeds.

Health secretary Wes Streeting announced the appointment this week of senior midwife Donna Ockenden as the new lead of an independent review into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT).

This follows ‘repeated maternity failures’ in Leeds, and an independent review which was announced last October.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has welcomed the news, describing it as a ‘vital step’.

Paul Rees, NMC’s chief executive and registrar, said: ‘Maternity care failures can be absolutely devastating for those families affected and that has been the case for far too many families in Leeds.

Related Article: Pollen 101: how nurses can help patients manage hay fever symptoms

‘The announcement that the work of the Leeds maternity review will start next month is a vital step towards ensuring that a torch is finally shone on what has really been happening with maternity services in Leeds – and that is vital for all those families tragically impacted by maternity failings.

‘We welcome Donna Ockenden’s appointment as the inquiry chair because she has demonstrated, through her work at Shrewsbury and Telford, and her ongoing review in Nottingham, a combination of clinical expertise, rigorous independence and a profound commitment to placing families at the heart of everything she does.

‘We believe she will bring those same qualities to the Leeds review.

‘As the professional regulator of more than 47,000 midwives, the NMC stands ready to work closely with Donna and her team – playing our part in ensuring that any lessons from Leeds lead to lasting, meaningful change.’

Ms Ockenden, who is currently chairing the Nottingham maternity review, said it was an ‘honour’ to have been asked to lead the inquiry.

‘This review must remain firmly focused on the families who, in many instances, have waited far too long for answers to questions about their care,’ she said.

‘My priority will be to listen carefully to families and staff, to understand what has gone wrong, and to ensure that the lessons are learned and the changes required are made, in a timely way, thus ensuring that all mothers, their babies and families receive safe, high-quality perinatal care,’ she added.

Ms Ockenden has extensive experience as both a nurse and midwife and has a track record of uncovered systemic failings in maternity care, including examining maternity practices at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust.

Related Article: Two children have died from measles in England this year, new UKHSA data shows

Mr Streeting thanked families in Leeds for their ‘openness during our detailed discussions in recent weeks’ and the courage they have shown in sharing experiences and advocating for change.

He added: ‘This review must deliver for you and for the sake of all families who rightly expect to receive safe and high-quality maternity care in the NHS.

‘Donna Ockenden’s leadership will bring us closer to the lasting change so desperately needed in Leeds.’

Brendan Brown, chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: ‘We welcome the announcement that a Chair has been appointed to lead the independent review, and we are absolutely committed to working openly, honestly and transparently with Donna Ockenden and the review team, and with families who have used our services.

‘We hope this announcement will give reassurance to families that the review can now move forward and provide the answers they deserve.’

Related Article: Pharmacies to deliver one-off MenB jab programme for thousands of young people

The government confirmed that terms of reference for the review are yet to be agreed, but the review is expected to include case reviews of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and serious incidents, hypoxic injuries and maternal deaths over a 15-year timeframe, from 1 Jan 2011 to 31 Dec 2025.

Last month, interim findings from an investigation led by Baroness Amos into maternity and neonatal services in England were published.

A version of this article was first published by our sister title Healthcare Leader