Families to meet Health Secretary today over maternity and neonatal failings in Leeds
An investigation into failings has been announced.
Bereaved and harmed families are set to meet the Health Secretary today over maternity and neonatal failings Leeds Hospitals.
Donna Ockenden - a former midwife chairing an inquiry will also be there - after the scope of her investigation into the Trust was confirmed.
Statement from the Leeds Maternity Families Group:
“Families look forward to meeting Yvette Cooper, the Secretary of State for Health and Michelle Welsh MP, National Maternity Advisor and appreciate them both reaching out to our group. Leeds families welcome the opportunity to speak directly with the Health Secretary and Maternity Advisor about the horrific failings they have endured at LTHT.
"The meeting will be an important chance for the Health Secretary to hear directly from affected Leeds families, and many are very keen to be present. It is very important to note that some people in the meeting are or were Yvette Cooper’s own constituents or voters from Pontefract, Castleford & Knottingley, who put her in her position of power and whose children died on her doorstep. There is a double duty of care to her constituents as their local MP and as National Health Secretary.
"These families believe that the rhetoric “cradle to grave”, that has come from the Secretary of State, is missing the experiences of many, as the NHS instead continues to drag babies from womb to tomb. The cradle cannot possibly be put back at the heart of the NHS until we understand all of the reasons why so many children have been robbed of the chance to ever lie in one.
"Families hope that this meeting with the Health Secretary will assist with further scope into the Leeds inquiry but also provide further evidence to support calls for a statutory public inquiry to understand what has led to two thirds of maternity services requiring improvement or being inadequate in England.”
In a previous 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.”