Health Secretary Apologises Over Catastrophic Maternity Failures at Nottingham Trust

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, June 25, 2026

The UK government and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust apologized following a damning inquiry that exposed over a decade of systemic failures in maternity care, including avoidable harm to mothers and babies, unsafe working conditions, and leadership problems. In response, national health authorities pledged reforms such as expanding “Martha’s Rule” to improve oversight and safeguarding, alongside calls for increased funding to address resource gaps and prevent future harm.

The UK government and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) have issued formal apologies following the release of a damning inquiry into maternity services at the trust, which uncovered widespread failings spanning more than a decade. The report, published in June 2026, highlighted systemic problems that affected patients and staff between 2012 and 2025, including avoidable harm to mothers and newborns, unsafe working conditions, and leadership issues.

Health Secretary James Murray spoke in the House of Commons, expressing sorrow for the “catastrophic” failures experienced by families under NUH’s maternity care. The review found that 444 maternity cases and 76 neonatal cases involved harm deemed potentially avoidable, with some instances graded as major concerns. Families reported serious problems such as inadequate pain relief, lack of compassion, and physical trauma. Mental distress was compounded by poor communication, especially for women whose first language was not English, and disturbing breaches in the handling of deceased infants, including one case where a baby was disposed of as “clinical waste.”

Staff testimony revealed a long-standing toxic culture marked by bullying and a reluctance to raise concerns, creating an environment described as operating in “crisis mode.” Only 11 percent of staff felt that staffing levels were sufficient to provide safe care. Some employees recounted a period before 2017 when women seeking admission in labor were turned away due to perceived “bed-blocking,” illustrating deeper systemic pressures. Leadership instability at NUH was identified as a major factor in the decline of care quality.

The inquiry’s findings also criticized the trust for sometimes downplaying the seriousness of harm or incorrectly attributing babies’ deaths to natural causes, contributing to further distress for affected families. More than 2,500 families and over 800 staff members participated in the investigation, which revealed repeated missed opportunities by regulators and the trust to address problems dating back to at least 2015.

NUH leadership, including chief executive Anthony May and trust chair Nick Carver—both appointed in 2022—issued an open letter apologizing unreservedly to those harmed and acknowledged that, while improvements have been made, significant work remains. Separately, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that two men had been arrested as part of Operation Perth, an ongoing investigation concerning alleged malpractice in the trust’s mortuary service.

In response to the inquiry, national health authorities pledged to implement measures designed to improve maternity care. The Department of Health and Social Care announced plans to extend “Martha’s Rule” across all maternity settings in England. This initiative ensures families have access to a formalized, round-the-clock second opinion, a step aimed at preventing further miscarriages of trust and ensuring better safeguarding for mothers and babies.

The inquiry’s comprehensive recommendations call for increased funding to address resource shortfalls that have hindered the implementation of national maternity policies at NUH and similar trusts, underscoring the need for systemic reform in maternity services across the NHS.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.