Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“Donna Ockenden’s report paints a tragic and harrowing picture of
repeated failures in care over two decades, and I am deeply sorry
to all the families who have suffered so greatly.
“Since the initial report was published in 2020 we have taken
steps to invest in maternity services and grow the workforce, and
we will make the changes that are needed so that no families have
to go through this pain again.
“I would like to thank Donna Ockenden and her whole team for
their work throughout this long and distressing inquiry, as well
as all the families who came forward to tell their stories.”
Notes to editors
- The local Trust, NHS England, and the government welcome the
report will be accepting the report’s recommendations and will
now consider the details of delivery. The NHS will be working
with local systems and stakeholders to set out a renewed
implementation plan that reflects these recommendations.
- The NHS announced last week that £127 million will be
invested in maternity services in the next year, and will go
towards growing the maternity NHS workforce and improving
neonatal care. This is on top of the £95 million investment into
the recruitment of 1,200 midwives and 100 consultant
Obstetricians that was announced after the interim report was
published in December 2020.
- In addition, a new Special Health Authority specifically to
carry out maternity investigations announced in January 2022 by
the Department of Health and Social Care.
- The Health and Social Care Secretary will make an oral statement
in the House of Commons later today.
