The largest maternity review in NHS history is set to be published, revealing critical failures at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust that contributed to infant deaths and long-term health complications. The inquiry, which examined incidents between 2012 and 2025, has uncovered cases where parents' urgent requests for assistance during pregnancy were overlooked until it was too late.

The review drew on evidence from approximately 2,500 families and 800 staff members involved with the trust, which operates Nottingham City Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre. The trust has already disbursed millions of pounds in compensation related to these incidents. The investigation was led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden.

Among those sharing their experiences is Mel Ibrahim, a former teacher, who delivered her daughter Amaya prematurely at about 24 weeks in 2016 at Queen’s Medical Centre. Amaya, born weighing just 1 pound 10 ounces, has since been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism, and profound deafness. Ibrahim described the ordeal as terrifying and noted that she was unaware at the time of the significant risk to her own life due to a retained placenta and hemorrhage.

Another case involves senior physiotherapist Sarah Hawkins and her husband, a hospital consultant, both employees of NUH. In 2016, Hawkins was advised to remain at home to manage a prolonged labor, which lasted several days. Upon eventual admission, medical staff struggled to detect the fetus’s heartbeat, ultimately confirming the death of their baby Harriet. Hawkins, 43, reflected on the profound personal and professional impact the event had on their lives, stating that the loss altered every aspect of their existence.

In a related development, Nottinghamshire Police arrested two men, aged 55 and 59, on suspicion of misconduct in public office concerning the trust’s mortuary service. Meanwhile, the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council have launched investigations into alleged misconduct by individual staff members at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The forthcoming report is expected to highlight systemic issues and recommend changes to prevent future tragedies within maternity services.