The spotlight is once again on Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) as national medical regulators begin formally assessing complaints from 45 families who say they were failed by local NHS services.
What’s happening?
The General Medical Council (GMC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)—the bodies responsible for overseeing doctors, nurses, and midwives in the UK—are now reviewing 72 complaints related to maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). These complaints have been raised by 45 families, many of whom have experienced devastating outcomes, including the loss of babies.
This development comes as part of the largest maternity review in NHS history, currently involving around 2,500 families and led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden.
A separate police investigation is also underway.
Why is this important?
For many families, this is the first sign that individual accountability may be taken seriously. Until now, some parents have accused the regulators of being “absent” during the unfolding scandal. The new investigations could lead to a range of outcomes, including:
- No further action
- Formal investigations
- Medical tribunals
- Suspensions or removal from the professional register (commonly known as being “struck off”)
Where do things stand?
The GMC is currently assessing complaints from 35 families and plans to meet with 33 more to discuss their concerns.
The NMC is reviewing 37 complaints from 12 families. Of these, 14 cases are already under investigation, while 23 are still being screened.
Both regulators have pledged to improve communication with the public and ensure that families feel heard. Paul Rees, interim chief executive of the NMC, acknowledged the tragedy families have endured and committed to holding further “case surgeries” to allow more people to raise concerns.
Interim Chief Executive and Registrar of the NMC, Paul Rees, said:
“I am thankful to the families for sharing their experiences with me. What happened to them is a tragedy. At the NMC, we know we need to be clearer with the public about who we are, what we do, and how they can use our services.
“We want to make sure we are reaching out to those people who may not have been able to speak to us before and doing so in a way that meets their needs. We are holding further case surgeries in the coming months, so people can raise concerns and ask questions.
“Alongside this, we’re also reaching out to other area where there are major concerns about maternity failings, to make sure we’re taking appropriate action.”
A national response
In response to the growing crisis, Health Secretary Wes Streeting recently announced a new national investigation into maternity failings across the NHS. He promised that families would “get the truth and the accountability they deserve.”
What should you do if you’re affected?
If you or a loved one has experienced poor maternity care—whether at NUH or elsewhere—you may be entitled to answers, support, and potentially compensation. Medical negligence in maternity care can have life-changing consequences, and it’s vital that families understand their rights.
At Nelsons, our specialist medical negligence team is here to help. We offer compassionate,expert advice and can guide you through the process of making a claim or raising a formal complaint.
How can we help?
Danielle Young is a Partner in our Medical Negligence team, which has been ranked in tier one by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500. She specialises in pregnancy and birth injury claims (including cerebral palsy), brain injury claims, fatal claims, surgical error claims, and cauda equina injury claims.
If you have any questions in relation to the subjects discussed in this article, then please get in touch with Danielle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
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