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Nottingham Maternity and Neonatal Services
24 June 2026
Lead MP
James Murray
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHS
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
James Murray raised concerns about nottingham maternity and neonatal services in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, made a statement on the independent review conducted by Donna Ockenden into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The report covers 13 years, involving 838 staff members and the experiences of 2,536 affected families. Murray highlighted systemic failures including poor communication, bullying culture, lack of accountability from regulators, and neglect of evidence pointing to clinical and cultural flaws. He committed to immediate steps such as expanding Martha's rule to allow parents to demand a second opinion if their concerns are ignored. The government will also take action on the CQC, GMC, and HTA to ensure better scrutiny and consequences for misconduct. Murray emphasised the need for improved mortuary practices to respect families' emotions during difficult times. Additionally, he mentioned working with David Lock KC to address issues regarding secondary victims in clinical negligence cases. Murray stressed that NUH needs a long-term action plan but acknowledged the trust's ongoing efforts to improve.
Question
The MP's question or point here would go here in the format provided.
Minister reply
The minister's response to THIS specific MP, providing commitments and details as required.
Stuart Andrew
Con
Pudsey
Question
Andrew thanked the Secretary of State for advance sight of his statement and acknowledged Donna Ockenden’s team. He paid tribute to Michelle Welsh and expressed that the review's findings are deeply personal and painful. Andrew raised three tests: listening, culture, and delivery. For each test, he questioned how women will be heard, staff accountability for ward culture, and the requirement for a national implementation plan with named accountability, delivery dates, and regular updates. He also highlighted the need to design services considering today’s needs and future trends.
Minister reply
Murray thanked Andrew for his constructive approach and acknowledged the key issues raised. He assured that all recommendations from the Ockenden review, along with other inquiries, will be addressed through a national taskforce he chairs. The Government committed to publishing a comprehensive delivery plan by the end of 2023.
Michelle Welsh
Lab
Sherwood Forest
Question
Welsh thanked Murray for his statement and noted her six-year campaign on this issue as well as being harmed at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. She highlighted that families drove the report through years of campaigning, bringing attention to avoidable deaths and harm. She asked for assurances regarding a robust oversight plan with questioning of regulators and senior staff, emphasising justice delivery for Nottinghamshire families.
Minister reply
Murray thanked Welsh for her invaluable advocacy and support. He committed to meeting the chief executive of the trust next week to address local recommendations directly. Murray emphasised the formation of a comprehensive action plan by the taskforce chairing national recommendations. He reiterated that accountability drives action, underlining the need for Government commitment to deliver change.
Question
May I start by acknowledging the hon. Member for Sherwood Forest (Michelle Welsh), Donna Ockenden and the Secretary of State for the statement and for their hard work? I thank the Secretary of State for the actions that he has proposed so far, which I think are the first tangible actions we have heard in this place. I must also acknowledge the incredible courage and resilience of the Nottingham families who have been instrumental in bringing about this review. No one can imagine the pain that they have gone through.
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for her words. When she spoke about ending this cycle, she sums up a feeling that I think many of us have: the cycle of inquiries and investigations revealing what has been happening in maternity services and leading to recommendations, which are accepted, but then things do not change enough, and action is not taken to address all the issues raised. That is the cycle we need to break.
Question
Today’s publication of Donna Ockenden’s report into maternity services in Nottinghamshire is a difficult and deeply emotional moment for families across our county and city. I want to place on the record my thanks to Donna Ockenden and her outstanding team for the care, compassion and thoroughness with which they have exposed the devastating cases of these families. Let me also place on the record my thanks to my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood Forest (Michelle Welsh). She is a fearless and formidable campaigner for justice and has walked this journey with the families every step of the way, and I know just how proud her son Billy will be watching her from home today.
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his comments and questions, and I echo his words about paying tribute to the courage, dignity and determination of the families who have driven the report and driven these shocking failures out into the open, so that we can all see the scale and depth of what has happened.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
I, too, pay tribute to those families who came forward with their stories, but also to the thousands, if not tens of thousands, of families across the country who are hearing these stories today and are triggered because it reminds them of their own, including in my area in Oxfordshire. What struck me most about the report was the section on leadership and culture, and how when midwives and members of staff raised the alarm, they did not have access to the board, and board members were not curious enough to ask the right questions.
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for her comments. She speaks about funding, which is of course a very important part of the response that we need to have to the failings in maternity care. We are investing £25 million, as I am sure she is aware, in tackling the causes of maternal death, to enhance bereavement facilities and to improve triage facilities.
Question
First, I want to thank the families who were bereaved and harmed by Nottingham University hospitals NHS trust—some of the most courageous and selfless people I have had the privilege of knowing, including my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood Forest (Michelle Welsh). They have for years relentlessly pursued the truth, justice, accountability and real change, often at great personal cost, and not only for their own families but to prevent future families having to endure similar trauma and cruelty.
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for her comments and questions. As well as thanking the families for what they have done to drive the report forward, she also thanked Donna Ockenden for her critical work in producing this report, and to those thanks I add my own.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
South West Surrey
Question
Expressed concerns about the central direction and control approach to addressing failures in maternity services. Proposed a system where mothers are given a small team responsible for their care throughout pregnancy.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of clinical accountability and expressed willingness to consider Jeremy Hunt's suggestion on ensuring proper accountability within the NHS.
Question
Asked if it is time for a full, judge-led, statutory public inquiry into wider NHS and regulatory failures related to maternity services.
Minister reply
Responded that while there are different views among families about the necessity of a public inquiry, he is not ruling out this option. He also mentioned plans to implement the duty of candour in future maternity reviews.
Robert Jenrick
Con
Newark
Question
Described heart-wrenching stories shared by families and raised concerns about negligent claims costs being comparable to maternity service spending. Asked for assurances on mandatory and regular training for all maternity hospitals.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of high-quality training in addressing current issues and stated that it would be a key part of the upcoming action plan.
Question
Paid tribute to families and staff who tried to whistleblow. Asked for assurances on implementation, reporting and monitoring of recommendations.
Minister reply
Promised that the national taskforce will produce a comprehensive action plan by the end of the year, based on all relevant reviews' recommendations.
Gavin Williamson
Con
South Staffordshire
Question
Highlighted cases in various trusts and suggested that only a public inquiry can address the issues comprehensively.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the need for action and accountability, promised to produce a comprehensive action plan by the end of the year, and stated that no options should be off the table.
Juliet Campbell
Lab
Sherwood Forest
Question
Pays tribute to families fighting for justice and acknowledges the harrowing findings of the Donna Ockenden review. Requests immediate steps on urgent recommendations, monitoring, and reviewing progress.
Minister reply
Agrees that recommendations must not end up unimplemented; will develop a comprehensive action plan by year-end through a national taskforce addressing all aspects including inequalities.
Stockton North
Question
Appreciates the statement and apology, expresses shame over NHS failures. Asks if trusts should retain 'good' rating when still 'requires improvement' for safety.
Minister reply
Agrees regulators must do their job properly to prevent future similar situations.
James Naish
Con
Rushcliffe
Question
Thanks Nottingham survivors and MPs, mentions systemic failings. Requests taskforce representation for harmed families.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for comprehensive change; willing to discuss family expert inclusion on taskforce.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Asks if whistleblowers faced action and if non-participating clinicians will be named.
Minister reply
Stresses need for staff to feel confident raising concerns; proposes extending Hillsborough law.
Amanda Hack
Lab
Dudley South
Question
Thanks Secretary of State and hon. Member Michelle Welsh, requests immediate actions including listening to women and families.
Minister reply
Confirms extension of Martha’s rule for second opinions; aims for comprehensive plan.
Rosie Duffield
Lab
Canterbury
Question
Highlights previous reports and scandals, requests nationwide standards and accountability across NHS trusts.
Minister reply
Agrees need for national solution to break cycle of recommendations without action; acknowledges systemic issues.
Question
Expressed condolences for families affected and highlighted systemic issues in maternal care, including racism, equality issues, a lack of training and accountability. Raised concerns about funding not being ringfenced for maternity services.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the systemic nature of the problem and the need for comprehensive action to transform maternity services. Emphasised the establishment of a taskforce to consider recommendations from various reviews.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Question
Commended both Secretary of State and shadow Secretary of State on their approach, suggested cross-party collaboration for swift solutions. Asked about the management of bodies post-mortem involving Ministry of Justice.
Minister reply
Agreed to work across parties and acknowledged the importance of addressing issues in mortuary services involving the Ministry of Justice. Mentioned extending Martha’s rule to maternity services nationwide.
Question
Expressed gratitude for Secretary of State's statement and Donna Ockenden's work. Highlighted the impact on children with acquired brain injuries, like Ryan.
Minister reply
Reassured that support would be provided to children with acquired brain injuries through an acquired brain injury plan and reforms to special educational needs and disabilities system.
Question
Cited the Sir Jonathan Michael inquiry on sexual impropriety with cadavers, noted lack of regulation in after-death care. Asked if Government would implement recommendations from this report.
Minister reply
Committed to considering all relevant reports as part of taskforce's work to produce a comprehensive plan by year-end.
Question
Highlighted high maternal deaths and clinical negligence costs exceeding maternity service spending. Asked about tackling the defensiveness culture in medical regulators.
Minister reply
Acknowledged regulatory failure, especially the protectionism by regulators. Stressed need for effective regulation to ensure accountability.
Question
Thanked Donna Ockenden and others for their work on Nottinghamshire report. Mentioned support given to Sussex families in seeking justice through the appointment of Donna Ockenden.
Minister reply
Confirmed commitment to apply duty of candour once Public Office (Accountability) Bill is enacted, ensuring NHS staff participation in future inquiries.
Ben Coleman
Lab
Question
The Ockenden report is shocking and its findings are repellent. It highlights systemic issues such as racism, discrimination, understaffing, poor data gathering, and racial inequality that have persisted over the past 20 years in maternity services. Given the history of unfulfilled action plans, will the Government commit to publishing measurable targets and firm deadlines within the upcoming national maternity and neonatal taskforce's action plan?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the systemic issues raised by the Ockenden report and commits to breaking the cycle of recommendations that are not implemented. The action plan, produced by a national maternity and neonatal taskforce, will be published by the end of 2023 with clear delivery plans.
Question
The MP expresses anger and upset for families affected by the maternity crisis. She mentions increasing maternity negligence payouts of £2.5 billion and asks whether the service development funding will be restored to support complex births and bereavement, after it was cut from £95 million to £2 million.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the anger and upset expressed by families affected by the report and states that a clear action plan with delivery plans will be produced and implemented. He does not explicitly address the restoration of service development funding but emphasises the need for accountability in implementation.
Salford and Eccles
Question
The MP raises serious safety concerns at Northern Care Alliance, demanding urgent action. She asks to meet with the Secretary of State or a ministerial team member to discuss patient safety, adequate resourcing, and safe staffing levels.
Minister reply
The Minister is willing to ensure that either himself or a member of his ministerial team will meet the MP to discuss these issues in further detail.
Question
The MP requests a meeting with the Secretary of State regarding two constituents who have had experiences relevant to the mistreatment of babies’ bodies in mortuary services. He also asks for confirmation that all lessons learned from Donna Ockenden’s review will be applied to the Leeds inquiry.
Minister reply
The Minister offers a meeting with either himself or a member of his ministerial team and confirms that Donna Ockenden, who has just completed the review in Nottingham, is well positioned to apply learnings from her current review to the Leeds inquiry.
Question
The MP reflects on the culture of failure at Nottingham University hospitals NHS trust and questions changes being made to mechanisms for patient feedback, such as the winding down of Healthwatch. He asks how these changes will ensure people are heard and action is taken.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the devastating level of failure in maternity services highlighted by the report and commits to a specific response through the work of the taskforce. He also highlights that the patient experience will drive decisions about NHS care delivery within the new organisation arising from the merging of NHS England into the Department of Health and Social Care.
Question
Pays tribute to families, whistleblowers and campaigners. Welcomes Martha’s rule and the Secretary of State's commitment to using Hillsborough law for future reviews. Asks if minister is working across Government for swift implementation with clear timelines and what will happen to those who avoided giving evidence.
Minister reply
Emphasises the shocking nature of senior leadership refusing to take part in Donna Ockenden’s review, highlighting the importance of the Hillsborough law and its application to future reviews.
Question
Pays tribute to his hon. Friend and families who have suffered brain injuries or loss. Asks if minister will act on Ockenden review recommendations and ensure disparities are overcome for mothers at greater risk.
Minister reply
Thanked MP for sharing family experience and assured him that the taskforce's comprehensive action plan will address inequality faced by those at higher risk of harm, discrimination, or being ignored.
Question
Reminds about avoidable harm in Nottingham years before Ockenden report period. Asks for assurance that senior management will be held to account in cities like Birmingham after national investigation.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the issue's broader timeframe and scope beyond Nottingham, stressing the nationwide impact of developing a comprehensive plan to tackle challenges faced by families across the country.
Shadow Comment
Stuart Andrew
Shadow Comment
The Conservative MP for Pudsey, Stuart Andrew, responded constructively to the Secretary of State’s statement. He paid tribute to Donna Ockenden and her team, acknowledging the difficulty of their work. Andrew set out three tests for the Government: the listening test, ensuring women's concerns are heard; the culture test, holding boards accountable for ward cultures that impede staff from speaking up; and the delivery test, publishing a national implementation plan with named accountability, delivery dates, and updates to Parliament. He emphasised the need for practical care tailored to today’s complex pregnancies and called for addressing inequalities in patient safety. Andrew also highlighted the shocking state of mortuary practices and asked if further reforms are needed through collaboration with the Department of Justice. The shadow minister concluded by committing scrutiny on areas where improvements do not meet expectations, but support where they align.
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