Prime Minister says he will meet with families affected by the Leeds Maternity scandal
Andy Burnham said he will make the maternity failings a priority
Last updated 22 hours ago
Prime Minster Andy Burnham says he will meet with families affected by the Leeds Maternity scandal.
The new PM spoke to Hits Radio today and gave this message to the parents:
"We will not let what happened to you be forgotten, we will study what comes from the review in detail. I can commit now to meeting the parents when the moment is right to discuss what is in it and the action that will be taken as a result. "We have has issues in maternity services, obviously in Leeds and across the country for a long period. There will be some local issues that come through the review but also some structural issues too that need to be addressed. "I look at all of those things and I will be happy to meet to discuss the findings when they are published."
Parents and bereaved families affected by the maternity and neonatal care failings at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have been promised they will be at the heart of a major independent review, chaired by Donna Ockenden.
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.
Daniel Ramm, whose baby Aliona Grace died shortly after his wife Fiona gave birth at the LGI in 2020, welcomed the commitment, but explained what more he'd like to see: "It's a huge issue that the government cannot continue to hide from so, it is great that a new government has come forward and recognised that the outset.
"What we need to see is meaningful engagement from the government with families affected from around the country to look at these issues. But, we believe these need to start with a statutory public inquiry."
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.”