Donna Ockenden launches inquiry into failings of maternity services in Leeds
The independent review will hear from families and NHS staff as it examines maternity and neonatal care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Parents and bereaved families affected by 'unacceptable' maternity and neonatal care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have been promised they will be at the heart of a major independent review that launched today (18 July).
The investigation, chaired by Donna Ockenden, was commissioned following years of campaigning by parents seeking answers over the care they and their babies received.
It will examine maternity and neonatal services at the trust, hear evidence from families and staff, and make recommendations aimed at improving care for future parents and babies in Leeds.
The review is expected to run for three years, though no official time frame has been set. Families will be able to come forward at any point to voice their experiences before the final report is published.
Countless families attend first meeting
Donna Ockenden hosted the first official family meeting today in Leeds to talk about how the review will operate.
Some bereaved families shared their own experiences of maternity failings. It was also an opportunity to ask questions.
Speaking after the event, Ms Ockenden said it was both encouraging and heart-breaking to see so many people attend the first family meeting:
Ockenden said: "I was delighted, but so sad to see that so many families came today because, as one of the original campaigning families said, you're all here because something really awful or difficult has happened to you."
She said families had spent the past three months helping develop the review's terms of reference, the framework that will guide the investigation, before they were presented to a wider audience.
Ms Ockenden described the meeting as a success, saying families were given the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and learn more about how the review will operate over the coming years.
She said one of the defining principles of every review she leads is ensuring every voice is heard.
"A hallmark, a golden thread that runs throughout every Ockenden review is that all voices that want to be heard will be heard. No one will be left behind."
She added: "We heard from countless families who have never spoken before about what happened to them... the feedback I got is that they did feel heard, they did feel valued and they did feel as though what had happened to them really mattered."
Victims of maternity failings in Leeds and bereaved families shared their stories in the push for real change.
Review expected to be at least as large as Nottingham
The Leeds review follows the publication of Ms Ockenden's landmark review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust earlier this month.
It's as Leeds University Hospitals NHS Trust is often cited to be one of the biggest and busiest trusts in Europe.
While the final number of cases involved in Leeds is not yet known, Ms Ockenden said she expects it to be at least as large as the Nottingham review.
Families can come forward at any stage
Ms Ockenden stressed that parents can become involved whenever they feel ready and said people can choose how much they wish to participate.
"Please do come forward. Your voice matters."
She added: "You can have as little or as much involvement in the review as you wish. You don't have to be actively involved, although you can if you wish."
The review team plans to hold large family meetings every two months, while senior midwives will also meet families individually on a regular basis from September.
Call for NHS staff to speak up
As well as appealing to families, Ms Ockenden urged current and former Leeds Teaching Hospitals staff to come forward, saying their experiences would be vital in understanding what happened.
During the Nottingham review, over 800 members of staff gave evidence, meaning the review could be even more accurate and deep-routed within the investigation.
"Staff voices are vitally important, and I promise that we will make sure that you too are heard, and that what you tell us matters."
She encouraged not only maternity staff but anyone involved in supporting safe maternity and neonatal care – including theatre, intensive care, cardiology and neurology teams – to contribute.
MPs' support 'absolutely vital'
Ms Ockenden also welcomed the attendance of local MPs at the launch event, saying political support had played a key role during the Nottingham review and would continue to be important in Leeds.
She said MPs had already campaigned alongside families for the independent review and plans are in place for monthly meetings with Leeds and Yorkshire MPs once Parliament returns from its summer recess.
'This review must lead to change'
Ending with a message to bereaved families and parents, Ms Ockenden said the purpose of the review is to ensure their experiences result in lasting improvements to maternity care.
"Your voices will be heard. We will absolutely support you as we move through this review process."
She added: "What you tell us will lead to the necessary change."
Leeds Teaching Hospitals said it's 'deeply sorry'
Leeds Teaching Hospitals said it is deeply sorry, and is committed to working openly with Donna Ockenden’s review to improve maternity care.
In a statement, Brendan Brown, Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, said:
“I am deeply sorry to families whose babies have sadly died or who have been harmed when receiving care in our hospitals.
“I know apologies are not enough, 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 review will provide families with the answers they deserve.
“Significant improvements are already underway in our maternity and neonatal services; we know there is much more to do and we are committed to improve and ensure that every family receives safe, compassionate, inclusive, and high-quality care.”