We must appoint a maternity commissioner, or risk the deaths of hundreds more mothers and babies
The Ockenden report – and my own experience of birth trauma – tell me this is the only way to avoid repeating the tragic pattern of hospital scandals
My heart went out to the brave, dignified and grieving families who gathered last week to hear Donna Ockenden’s report about what happened to them, their babies and loved ones at two Nottingham maternity units.
They were not failed by Ockenden’s comprehensive and often distressing review detailing years of poor training, poor culture, incompetence, bullying and coverups.
She found more than 500 mothers and babies came to harm or died as a result of inadequate care at these two units. An avoidable tragedy that should make the entire country angry.
I watched them silently weeping as they listened, and I knew we should be looking at a new dawn, a sea change in how we care for mums and babies. However, I fear it will not happen unless the government appoints an independent, nonpolitical maternity commissioner to oversee the change we need to end this national scandal...
Read my article in full for the Observer here:
