No new cases will be accepted into the Nottingham Maternity Review

The ongoing independent review into maternity failings at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, has reached a critical juncture. As of May 2025, the review will no longer accept new cases, despite further families coming forward with their experiences. 

The review, which began in September 2022, is the largest investigation into maternity failings in NHS history. It aims to examine 2,297 cases of harm to babies and women, including stillbirths, neonatal deaths, significant brain injuries to babies, severe maternal harm, and maternal deaths. The bulk of these cases date from 2012 to the present day.

Impact of the Decision Moving Forward:

1: Closure to New Cases

• The decision to close the review to new cases from the end of May 2025 is driven by the need to finalise the report by June 2026. Donna Ockenden emphasised that the review must "stop somewhere" to ensure timely delivery of findings and recommendations.

2: Further Families Coming Forward

• The recent surge in families coming forward highlights ongoing concerns about maternity care at NUH. The Trust must balance the need to address historical failings with the legal obligation to provide safe and effective care to current and future patients.

3: Impact on Future Legal Claims

• Families whose cases are not included in the review may still pursue legal action independently.
• The findings of the review, once published, may lead to systemic changes that impact future legal standards for maternity care.

The decision to close the Nottingham maternity review to new cases underscores the complex nature of the review as a whole. While the review aims to provide closure and recommendations for improvement, it also highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and accountability in maternity care. Families affected by these issues must be supported in their pursuit of justice, whether through the review process or independent legal action.

As clinical negligence lawyers, we represent numerous families and children affected by failures in maternity care during labour and birth, including those who have lost loved ones. We have seen the number of enquiries increasing, and we welcome anyone with concerns to approach us to discuss how we might be able to help. 

Our goal is to ensure that children who have suffered preventable injuries receive the necessary services, such as care, therapy, aids, equipment, and appropriately adapted accommodation to support them throughout their lives. For families who have experienced loss, we provide support and therapy to help them cope with these tragic events. Additionally, we strive to secure an apology from the responsible Trust and work to prevent similar mistakes in the future.