Warwickshire MP calls for action after latest Ockenden Report findings
Manuella Perteghella said urgent improvements are needed to the system
A Warwickshire MP has called for urgent improvements to the maternity system following the latest findings from the Ockenden Review.
Manuella Perteghella, the MP for Stratford-on-Avon said she was growing frustrated at the lack of feasible maternity care in the country.
It comes following the latest review into maternity services, led by Donna Ockenden, which found there was "deeply embedded systemic failures" in Nottingham which contributed to the deaths of 260 babies.
"I am distressed and angry that yet again we are confronted with evidence of babies who should never have lost their lives, mothers who should not have died, and families left with life-changing trauma," Manuella said.
"I am particularly upset as the birth of my first child, at the time I was living in Gloucestershire, was extremely traumatic, and during which I suffered a post-partum haemorrhage, on top of other injuries. This was 23 years ago, and it upsets me greatly that instead of things improving, we have gone backwards.
"Review after review has highlighted similar failures. We continue to see concerns about staffing levels, failures to learn lessons, inadequate training and women not being listened to when they raise concerns.
"This is an issue on a national scale. Families deserve the confidence that when they seek care, they will receive the highest standards of safety and support.
“We are very lucky that we have locally Warwick Hospital, where I did give birth to one of my daughters, and I cannot thank them enough for the care my baby and I received. But we cannot have a postcode lottery. Everyone deserves a safe birth.
"The courage shown by families who have fought for answers and accountability is extraordinary. They should never have had to battle so hard to receive the standard of care they deserve.
"There have now been hundreds of recommendations from maternity reviews over the last decade. The NHS and Government must ensure those recommendations are implemented.
"Families deserve safe maternity care, and women deserve to be listened to throughout their pregnancy and childbirth journey."
Manuela added to calls for stronger action to improve patient safety, increase staffing levels where needed, and ensure maternity services learn from past failures so that tragedies are not repeated.