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News & Knowledge » June 2026: Date set to close the largest investigation of maternal failings in NHS history
New cases in the largest investigation of maternal failures in NHS history are scheduled to close.
According to senior midwife Donna Ockenden, the independent review of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust is investigating 2,297 cases of harm caused to women and babies.
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust manages Nottingham City Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre.
The investigation primarily focuses on two NHS maternity units that are managed by the NUH trust. The bulk of cases under investigation date between 2012 and the present day.
How was the investigation conducted?
Senior midwife, Ms Ockenden, confirmed that cases beyond the end of May will not be included in this review and stated that she was scheduled to submit her final report findings in June 2026.
According to Ms. Ockenden, the review, which started in September 2022, has been growing over time, with new cases being added every few weeks.
It is set to examine stillbirths, neonatal deaths, significant brain injuries to babies, severe maternal harm and mothers who died.
Ms. Ockenden, who conducted a previous investigation into the Shropshire maternity crisis, emphasised that if she is to deliver her Nottingham findings next year, “the review has to stop somewhere”.
The review will include “essential actions” for improving maternity safety across England.
Patient of the NUH NHS Trust comes forward to share her story
Sarah McCrackle’s case is one of many being examined as part of the review. Miss McCrackle, 53, from Bilborough in Nottingham, insisted that her concerns were not taken seriously.
The courageous victim, Sarah, believes that if she and her baby had received adequate maternity care in Nottingham, her stillborn baby, Junior, would still be alive.
She claims that her son Junior’s stillbirth was caused by the hospital’s delays in admitting her as soon as she began showing symptoms of labour at home in 2013.
Adding that she “phoned the hospital 17 times, telling them my labour had started.”
“I was under consultant care because of 18 previous miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy but was repeatedly told to stay at home because there were no beds available on the labour suite.”
“Eventually, after more than 17 hours, I decided to turn up at the Queen’s Medical Centre anyway,” she said.
“I was kept waiting in an empty antenatal ward. I knew something was wrong – the baby stopped kicking. Eventually, an ultrasound scan revealed there was no heartbeat. I was in shock, heartbroken and gave birth to my dead baby boy.”
Miss McCrackle urged anyone with experiences regarding maternity services, which they want to share with the review team, to get in touch before the 31 May deadline.
Chief Nurse of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust Responds to the cases within the review
Tracy Pilcher, Chief Nurse at the trust, responded to Miss McCrackle’s case by saying:
“We would like to express our heartfelt regret and sincere apologies to Sarah McCrackle and her family for the care she received in 2013 and the tragic loss of her son Junior.
“If Sarah is willing to, we would be happy to meet her and her family to discuss, listen and learn from her experiences.
“Our maternity services are improving, and we’re determined to continue making significant advancements in maternity and neonatal care to ensure that every family receives the safe, compassionate, and superior care they need.
“We know there is more to do.”
Patients and staff who wish to share their experiences of NHS maternity care in Nottingham can contact the Donna Ockenden review team via nottsreview@donnaockenden.com and have until 31 May to indicate that they wish to contribute their thoughts.
Frequently asked questions
What is hospital negligence?
The hospital should be a place where issues are treated. However unfortunately, the hospital is often the place where harm occurs. Negligent treatment at a hospital can include but is not limited to an individual experiencing:
- A delay and/or failure in diagnosis and/or treatment
- A misdiagnosis
- Incorrect treatment
- Hospital acquired infections including MRSA
- Pressure sores
- Mistakes during surgery
- A delay and/or failure in receiving follow-up care
We often see A&E departments acting negligently in hospitals by particular providing substandard care.
Causes of birth and maternity injuries to mothers
Maternal injuries can occur during pregnancy or childbirth, while some are avoidable. A good standard of antenatal care is essential, and midwives, nurses, or doctors should detect signs of potential injury.
Main causes of maternity injuries include:
- Failure to identify the progression of labour
- Mismanagement of maternal conditions such as high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia
- Decisions about the mode and timing of delivery e.g. should a c-section have been brought forward
- Mismanagement of infection e.g. Group B Strep
- Surgical errors
- Retained Placenta, sometimes resulting in infection
Post-natal depression (PND) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Birthing injuries to women can not only be physical but also affect them mentally. A negative or particularly stressful experience before, during or shortly after childbirth can have a negative impact on a woman’s mental health and wellbeing.
Experiences during birth affect everyone differently and are highly sensitive.
Common signs include:
- Difficulty bonding with their baby
- Difficulty with sleeping
- A feeling of guilt and isolation
- A feeling of exhaustion and hopelessness
- The feeling of ‘failure,’ and that the events of a baby’s birth were their own fault.
Many women will suffer silently and not seek help with PND and PTSD. However, it is a common side-effect of birth, with 3 in 10 new mothers experiencing PND or PTSD. These are serious injuries and require the correct treatment.
If you feel you have experienced any of the above, please contact the Medical Negligence team at Oakwood Solicitors, who will be able to advise in respect of a claim.
How to make a claim?
Medical negligence claims of this nature are subject to a three-year limitation period. This means that claims have to be commenced within the courts in three years of either the date the negligent act occurred or the date you became aware that negligence had occurred.
In cases involving deceased victims, this limitation period commences from the date of death, and in cases involving minors, the limitation period starts when they reach their 18th birthday.
The law surrounding limitation periods is complex, our specialist team will be able to advise further.
Further information
Mother Birthing injuries – Oakwood Solicitors
Child birthing injuries – Oakwood Solicitors
NHS maternity failings review closing to new cases – BBC
Hospital negligence – Oakwood Solicitors
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you have experienced similar circumstances or if Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust has neglected you, our dedicated team of highly trained Solicitors and paralegals deal with all aspects of clinical and medical negligence.
Oakwood Solicitors Ltd wishes to ensure that clients are not overwhelmed by legal jargon or medical terms that they do not understand and aims to allow the claims procedure to be as transparent as possible.
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
Carol Cook joined Oakwood Solicitors in May 2017 to lead the Medical Negligence Department.
Carol handles a wide range of clinical, cosmetic and dental negligence claims and has years of experi…
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