Latest news with #SarahHawkins
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Nottingham maternity crisis: Families call to meet PM over failings
Parents involved in an independent review into Nottingham's maternity services say they want to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to talk about the failings in care across the Monday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced a "rapid" investigation into maternity care in and Jack Hawkins, whose daughter Harriet was stillborn in 2016 following maternity failings at Nottingham City Hospital, are calling for more action in the form of a statutory public this year Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust - which is at the centre of the largest ever review into NHS failings - was given a record £1.6m fine over failings around the deaths of three babies. Dr Hawkins said similar reviews into NHS failings had taken place and not achieved the results families had wanted, which is why he has backed calls for a national judge-led public inquiry."I think we're very clear that it's been tried before in various subtly different ways, and it will not work," he said."What we absolutely have to have is a statutory public inquiry, where people give evidence under oath, and are at risk of perjury in a court, just like the Post Office inquiry."There are thousands and thousands of avoidably dead babies and children in this country, in a system run by the state."Ms Hawkins and other affected families met with Streeting last she said he "has done more for us as families than any other health secretary", the desire for a judge-led inquiry remains."Families still don't feel like this is far enough," she said."I think it is happening right across England, and there may be hotspots where people are voicing their concerns and their thoughts, but there are also lots of families out there who are on their own and don't have support, and they really need a widespread public inquiry to look at all of this."Nottingham families are very keen that the prime minister now comes up and sees us and sees the damage and the harm that we will suffer for the rest of our lives."It's important that he knows not only what's going on in Nottingham but what's going on across the country." Felicity Benyon was fitted with a stoma in 2015 after her bladder was removed in error during an emergency hysterectomy after a Caesarean said her experience "has got more scary as the years have gone on" as she has heard about failings "not only in NHS maternity but the NHS as a whole"."The more and more I have an involvement with the NHS, each time they mess something up, and it just makes it harder and harder for me to see a doctor or go to hospital," she told BBC Radio Nottingham."I have an absolute fear now of doctors or anything [in a] hospital or medical setting - there is no trust."Ms Benyon, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, said she supported the ongoing Ockenden review, which was "really getting to the root causes of what's gone wrong at NUH".She described the new national investigation as "a positive step forward", but more needed to be done."It doesn't hold anyone to account, and accountability is a huge part of what we feel is needed, because too many people have got away with too much for too long," she said."I think the plan is a great first start for short-term goals, for making quick changes for making mums and babies safer, but we need a public inquiry to hold people to account." Analysis By Rob Sissons, health correspondent, BBC East MidlandsNothing has ever come easy for Nottingham's campaigning families harmed by catastrophic maternity failings - they had to fight for a meaningful review into Nottingham's maternity services after the first one was Streeting apologised that they had to fight so hard for justice after they described to him being "gaslit, ignored and lied to".The rapid investigation ordered by the current health secretary will look at wider major concerns across the country, and is not expected to get going much before August and deliver findings by is going to be a focus on 10 of what are described as the "worst performing" maternity services, but it is not clear how exactly these will be selected apart from it being data-driven, and some communities may feel left behind in this families who campaign in Nottingham are convinced nothing short of a major national judge-led statutory public inquiry will deliver meaningful change and expose the truth of what has gone wrong and health secretary has left the door open to a national inquiry and is expected to decide whether to recommend one after the rapid investigation reports.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Parents' plea to perpetrator of Nottingham NHS trust baby data loss
Parents have appealed for NHS staff to come forward after a police investigation found a file containing maternity data was "most likely" intentionally confirmed on Tuesday an inquiry into the temporarily lost data - which was later recovered - at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust was likely to be the "action of an individual".Police could not determine who was behind the data deletion but Sarah and Jack Hawkins, whose daughter was stillborn in 2016 after staff failings, have called on the person responsible to explain why they did it. NUH chief executive Anthony May said he was considering options as to "further examine what happened". Families were told in a letter from Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin, seen by the BBC, that the deletion of the file - which contained details of hundreds of maternity cases - was "most likely to have been done intentionally/maliciously rather than accidentally".Ms Hawkins said: "If anyone knows who they are, or if they come forward themselves, just please let us know because I frankly don't know how people are sleeping at night. "You can't just delete important files and think that's OK. I don't know what their motive was but you cannot have that culture in a hospital where you treat vulnerable patients." 'What are you hiding?' The Hawkins' labelled the police findings as a "patient safety emergency" and said anyone who knew who was responsible had a "moral and professional duty" to come forward. Ms Hawkins, previously a physiotherapist at NUH, said: "I'm baffled as a bereaved mother but also as a clinician. "Why would you do something like that? What are you trying to hide? Why are you not there for the patients?."Dr Hawkins added: "What are they going to do next, this person? And what have they also done?" Mr May said: "It is very disappointing to learn that the deletion of this data may have been done maliciously. "While the police investigation may have concluded, I should like to assure the public that we will not let this rest. "I am considering options as to how to further examine what happened, using all means available. "I would encourage anyone who has information about what happened to speak up so we can account for ourselves, reassure affected families, and rebuild trust and confidence."He added the trust informed the police when the issue was discovered and "engaged fully in the investigation". "Nottinghamshire Police is also carrying out a separate corporate manslaughter investigation to examine whether maternity care by the trust had been grossly negligent.
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Nottingham NHS trust faces corporate manslaughter investigation over baby deaths
An NHS trust will be subjected to a corporate manslaughter investigation after a series of baby deaths. In September 2023, Nottinghamshire Police launched a criminal investigation after concerns were raised about severe harm allegedly linked to maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). On Monday, the force said it was looking at whether NUH had been 'grossly negligent in the management of its activities' in the lead-up to deaths at the trust. NUH is also currently the subject of the largest-ever NHS maternity review, led by Donna Ockenden, a former senior midwife. The review is examining more than 2,000 experiences of maternity care at the trust, including deaths and injuries. The parents of a baby who was stillborn under the care of the trust said the corporate manslaughter investigation 'is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability'. Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who both used to work for the trust until their daughter Harriet died in 2016, said: 'Our lives were completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma at the hands of NUH. 'A prosecution for corporate manslaughter will only penalise the trust, not the individuals responsible, many of whom are still working today. 'We must never lose sight of individual accountability for those who so cruelly stole not just our daughter's life and voice but many others. We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have been shattered.' 'Families ignored and turned away' In a statement, a group of affected families said the probe was 'welcome' but added that 'no investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering'. It read: 'Today's announcement is one of mixed emotions. We wholeheartedly welcome and support the investigation into corporate manslaughter at NUH. 'It is also tinged with sadness that it has taken so many tragedies for this investigation to have been opened. Over many years, families have repeatedly raised concerns over maternity safety, only to be ignored and turned away. 'Had our concerns been listened to and acted upon, lives could have been saved. No investigation will ever reverse the harm and suffering that thousands of families have endured, but right now, families are feeling an immense sense of vindication.'
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Scandal-hit NHS trust faces corporate manslaughter probe over deaths of hundreds of babies
A SCANDAL-HIT NHS trust is being investigated for potential offences of corporate manslaughter after hundreds of babies died or were seriously injured. Detectives launched a criminal investigation in 2023 over allegations of severe harm that allegedly unfolded at Nottingham university hospitals (NUH) NHS trust. 2 2 Nottinghamshire police on Monday revealed that inquiry was now focused on corporate manslaughter. Police are reviewing more than 200 alleged failures of maternity care at NUH but this figure could rise to about 2,500. Detective Superintendent Matthew Croome said: "I have now formally commenced the investigation into corporate manslaughter relating to the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. 'The offences relate to circumstances where an organisation has been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death. 'In such an investigation, we are looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals. 'My investigation will look to ascertain if there is evidence that the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has committed this offence.' Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who blew the whistle on the maternity scandal after the stillbirth of their daughter Harriet in 2016, said the corporate manslaughter investigation "is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability". They said: "Our lives were completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma at the hands of NUH. "This investigation is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability. "A prosecution for corporate manslaughter will only penalise the trust, not the individuals responsible, many of whom are still working today. Dozens of babies and mums died in 'worst-ever' NHS maternity scandal, leaked report reveals "We must never lose sight of individual accountability for those who so cruelly stole not just our daughter's life and voice but many others. "We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have shattered." In a statement, NUH said it was right that the trust took 'organisational accountability where we have failed women, families and babies'. Nick Carver, the chair, and Anthony May, the chief executive, said: 'We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering caused. We know that for many families this harm and suffering will be lifelong.' The bosses said they were fully committed to the ongoing investigations and that since joining the NUH board they had 'emphasised the importance of openness, transparency and accountability' but that 'there is more to do'. They added: 'Many families have shared their experiences with us, and we remain grateful for their strength and courage after such a harrowing and life affecting tragedy... 'We know how important the police investigation and independent review are for the affected families, the trust and our local communities. We hope that affected families receive the answers that they deserve.' AN INDEPENDENT review of maternity services at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was launched in 2022. It is being led by top midwife Donna Ockenden, who also investigated failings at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, one of the biggest patient safety scandals in NHS history. More than 2,000 cases dating back to 2012 are involved in the Nottingham review, which means it could be even worse than Shrewsbury. Local police are also investigating the services separately from the review. Families have come forward after hundreds of babies and mums died or were seriously brain damaged or injured while under the care of the Nottingham hospitals. The review will determine to what extent the deaths and injuries could have been prevented and how shortcomings, errors or negligence by medical and managerial staff at Nottingham City Hospital and Queen's Medical Centre may have contributed to families' suffering. The review team said: "This Review has been established in light of significant concerns raised regarding the quality and safety of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and concerns of local families." Ms Ockenden is expected to report her findings in 2026.
The Guardian
02-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Police launch corporate manslaughter inquiry into Nottingham hospital trust
An NHS trust is being investigated for potential corporate manslaughter after deaths and serious injuries related to maternity care. Nottinghamshire police launched a criminal investigation in September 2023 after concerns were raised about severe harm allegedly linked to maternity services at Nottingham university hospitals NHS trust. Det Supt Matthew Croome said: 'I have now formally commenced the investigation into corporate manslaughter relating to the Nottingham university hospitals NHS trust. 'The offences relate to circumstances where an organisation has been grossly negligent in the management of its activities, which has then led to a person's death. 'In such an investigation, we are looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals, and my investigation will look to ascertain if there is evidence that the Nottingham university hospitals NHS trust has committed this offence.' The parents of a baby who was stillborn under the care of the trust said the investigation was 'just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability'. Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who both used to work for the trust until their daughter Harriet died in 2016, said: 'Our lives were completely destroyed by the unimaginable and repeated trauma at the hands of NUH. 'This investigation is just one piece of the jigsaw towards accountability. A prosecution for corporate manslaughter will only penalise the trust, not the individuals responsible, many of whom are still working today. 'We must never lose sight of individual accountability for those who so cruelly stole not just our daughter's life and voice but many others. We will continue to fight for justice, not only for Harriet, but for all those whose lives have shattered.' More details soon…
