Parents affected by maternity care failings at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust have expressed frustration and despair over the lack of accountability from former trust executives implicated in a recent independent review. The review linked the trust’s maternity services to over 150 potentially avoidable deaths.

The review, completed by Donna Ockenden and published in June, detailed 162 potentially preventable deaths at Nottingham City Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre. The investigation prompted a police inquiry, with authorities gathering evidence as part of a corporate manslaughter investigation.

Attempts to obtain comments from two former senior figures at the trust—Dr. Keith Girling, who was medical director for seven years, and Eric Morton, the former chair—were unsuccessful. When approached, Dr. Girling declined to comment and avoided questions by shielding himself with an umbrella. Staff members who worked under him expressed deep dissatisfaction with his refusal to engage.

Jack and Sarah Hawkins, clinicians formerly employed at the trust, said they informed Dr. Girling in 2017 about unsafe maternity conditions after their daughter Harriet was stillborn. “He has no idea of what our lives are like and yet he can’t even give you an answer,” Sarah Hawkins said, reacting to footage of Dr. Girling evading questions. Her husband added that it was troubling that they were left to advocate for the victims while senior leaders remained silent.

Eric Morton acknowledged speaking with Ockenden during the review but did not provide clarity on how the identified failings occurred. When questioned about a 2018 letter warning of a staffing crisis in maternity services, Morton said he only became aware of the letter two years later and declined to answer further questions.

Mrs. Hawkins called for a public inquiry, emphasizing the necessity of compelling former leaders to give evidence. “These people need to be brought in to give evidence. They can’t just jump ship when they don’t like it,” she said.

The Ockenden review’s findings underscore serious systemic problems within Nottingham’s maternity services over several years. The ongoing police investigation and mounting calls for further public scrutiny highlight the demand for greater transparency and accountability in response to the tragedy.