Last Updated on June 25, 2026 by tanya

Ockenden Maternity Review Exposes Hospital ‘Toxic Care’

 

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced under the oversight of Michael Jefferies, First Personal Injury Director, who brings over 30 years of legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

 

Findings Released on the Biggest Maternity Scandal in England

 

The biggest ever maternity review in England, the Ockenden Review has exposed hospital ‘toxic care’ which resulted in babies dying or being harmed. The Nottingham University Hospitals (NHS Trust) came under the glare of the public this week with the damning report by Chair of the Review, Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife and community activist.

The City Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre have come under intense scrutiny with the review involving some 2,500 cases. Essentially the Ockenden inquiry investigated neonatal deaths, stillbirths and harm to mothers and babies. The NHS has paid out millions over failings at the two centres between 2006 and 2023.

Medical birth injury negligence claims for compensation are a result of direct harm to a patient caused by substandard medical care.

 

Heartbroken Parents & Families

Ms Ockenden called for national change in maternity care, saying, “In maternity care, where trust is absolute and vulnerability acute, failures carry consequences measured across lifetimes.”  Also highlighted was a “bullying, toxic culture” where parents were not listened to, including maternity staff not admitting women who were “were seeking admission in labour”. Shockingly one baby girl who died in early gestation, was mistakenly disposed of as clinical waste by lab staff following the postmortem examination.

Parents who spoke out at a press conference following the release of the findings of the review included Dr Jack Hawkins whose daughter Harriet died in the womb in City Hospital in 2016. He expressed a “profound sadness and deep sense of anger that we learn of the full extent of the scandal at NUH.”

Another bereaved father, Gary Andrews whose daughter Wynter died 23 minutes after birth in 2019 said they were told the death was “just one of those things”. He said it was time all the affected families were heard and that action is needed.

The Trust’s top executive issued an open letter apologising ‘unreservedly’ to the families, describing the review as a “watershed moment” and that action needs to be taken to improve care at the hospitals. Meanwhile, The Secretary for Health, James Murray has said “immediate steps” will be taken, adding the parents’ “cries of concern went unheard for too long.”

 

When Can You File a Maternity Medical Negligence Claim?

The Ockenden Review has shown how substandard care can have such a devastating effect on the lives of babies and their parents. A maternity negligence claim is usually filed when the care you received fell below the standard expected of a reasonably competent healthcare professional, and this failure directly caused injury or loss.

So, common grounds include:

 

Delayed or incorrect diagnosis: for example, failing to identify infection, pre-eclampsia, or foetal distress.

Failure to act on warning signs: such as reduced foetal movements or abnormal CTG readings.

Errors during labour or delivery: including delays in performing a necessary C‑section.

Poor postnatal care: such as failing to treat maternal haemorrhage or neonatal complications.

 

The Ockenden Review found repeated failures to listen to women, chronic understaffing, and a culture of dismissing concerns. These were all factors that contributed to avoidable deaths and injuries.

 

Time Limits for Bringing a Maternity Negligence Claim

In England and Wales:

 

Adults generally have three years from the date of injury or the date they became aware of negligence.

For children, the three‑year limit begins on their 18th birthday.

If the injured person lacks mental capacity, the time limit may not apply.

Given the complexity of maternity cases, it’s advisable to get early legal advice.

 

How to File a Maternity Negligence Claim

 

1. Seek specialist legal advice A solicitor experienced in maternity negligence will assess whether your care fell below acceptable standards. The scale of failings at NUH prompted many families to come forward, and legal experts have also highlighted the need for change.

 

2. Gather your evidence This includes medical records, birth notes, witness statements, photographs, and any correspondence with the hospital.

 

3. Obtain independent medical opinion Your solicitor will arrange expert reviews to determine whether negligence occurred and whether it caused the harm suffered.

 

4. Submit a Letter of Claim This formal document outlines your allegations.The NHS Trust must respond, usually within four months.

 

5. Negotiate or litigate Many claims settle out of court. However, some cases such as those involving catastrophic injury, may proceed to trial.

 

Why the Ockenden Review Matters for Your Claim

The Ockenden Review into NUH is the largest maternity investigation in NHS history, examining more than 2,500 cases and exposing consistent failures over more than a decade resulting in despair and grief to many families.

Key findings relevant to potential claims include:

 

• Systemic neglect: repeated failures to act on safety concerns.
• Downgrading of serious incidents to avoid scrutiny.
• A culture of bullying and intimidation, preventing staff from raising concerns.
• Avoidable deaths and catastrophic harm including stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and severe maternal injuries.

 

Simply put, these findings indicate widespread organisational failings rather than isolated errors.

 

Why Taking Action Matters

Bringing a claim is not only about compensation as it is also about:

 

Securing answers when hospitals have failed to provide transparency.

Ensuring accountability so that other families do not suffer the same trauma.

Accessing long‑term support for children living with disabilities caused by negligent care.

 

Contact Us – Free, Initial Consultation

We partner with solicitors who are experienced in maternity negligence claims. They offer a no-obligation, initial consultation which is free, as well as a No Win, No Fee option.

So, if you want to find more about a birth injury claim, we have a compassionate team who will deal with your enquiry in confidence.

Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online to get started.

 

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always consult with a medical professional and a qualified solicitor to understand your specific circumstances.