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Ockenden Review of Maternity Care: Shrewsbury and Telford
15 January 2020
Lead MP
Lucy Allan
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
NHSStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Lucy Allan raised concerns about ockenden review of maternity care: shrewsbury and telford 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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The MP raised concerns about the safety of women and babies receiving maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, highlighting systemic problems within the NHS. She mentioned that the Ockenden review uncovered more than 40 avoidable deaths and over 50 brain-injured babies, indicating a significant failure in transparency and openness by senior management. Lucy Allan emphasised the need for transparency and learning from mistakes, comparing it to the Morecambe Bay trust inquiry where lessons were learned promptly.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
South West Surrey
Complimented Lucy Allan's efforts and emphasised that treating Shrewsbury and Telford as a one-off incident would be a mistake. Highlighted the need for learning lessons across the NHS system.
Stressed the importance of prioritising the care of mothers and babies, advocating for more support for mothers who have had several children to ensure they are coping.
Owen Paterson
Con
North Shropshire
Acknowledged the difficulty in discussing numbers but emphasised the personal tragedy behind each case. Mentioned that the infant mortality rate at the trust is marginally better than the national average, aiming towards a target of 2.6 by 2025.
Philip Dunne
Con
Worcestershire
Asked for interim findings on current practice to reassure expectant mothers, suggesting that openness and transparency should be prioritised over hiding facts.
Government Response
The Minister congratulated Lucy Allan for securing the debate. She reassured that the NHS remains one of the safest places in the world to give birth, and highlighted the Government’s ambition to halve stillbirth rates by 2025. The Ockenden review, chaired by Donna Ockenden, was tasked with assessing 900 cases across various years. While acknowledging the increased scale of the review, she emphasised that it cannot be rushed. She promised full support for Donna Ockenden to conclude her work and committed to reviewing next steps once the report is published later in the year.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.