Cornwall MP calls for action following worst maternity scandal in NHS history
Cherilyn Mackrory says improvements must be made without delay
Last updated 31st Mar 2022
The MP for Truro and Falmouth has paid tribute to the families whose lives have been "irrevocably changed" following the worst maternity scandal in the history of the NHS.
The Ockenden report into Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust found the deaths of more than 200 babies and nine mothers could have been prevented.
It found major failings led to babies being stillborn or dying soon after birth over 20 years.
It also discovered a culture where mistakes were not investigated, risks not properly assessed, and parents just not listened to.
The trust's chief Louise Barnett has apologised to families and says things have changed.
Cherilyn Mackrory, who is the Chair of All-Party-Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss, says improvements must be made without delay.
Cherilyn said: “It is deeply disheartening to hear of the repeated failures in the quality of care and both internal and external governance at the Trust throughout the last two decades – resulting in severe distress and bereavement for numerous families
"I pay tribute to all those families whose lives have been irrevocably changed by their experience at the Trust. I give special thanks those who have had the courage to selflessly speak up and help Donna Ockenden and her team investigate these failings.
"We must seriously consider the report’s 60 specific Local Actions for Learning for Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and the 15 Immediate and Essential Actions for all maternity services in England. I will do my utmost to ensure these recommendations are widely acknowledged and considered at the highest levels of government so that improvements can be made without delay.”
Chair of the review Donna Ockenden, said: “Throughout our final report we have highlighted how failures in care were repeated from one incident to the next.
"For example, ineffective monitoring of fetal growth and a culture of reluctance to perform caesarean sections resulted in many babies dying during birth or shortly after their birth.
"Going forward, there can be no excuses, Trust boards must be held accountable for the maternity care they provide. To do this, they must understand the complexities of maternity care and they must receive the funding they require.”