Case deadline looms before next phase for Ockenden

‘PERSONS OF INTEREST’ ON AGEN DA

- By JOEL MOORE

A MAJOR investigation into failing maternity services is about to close to new cases as it prepares to enter its next phase.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), which runs the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, is the subject of the largest independent review of maternity services in NHS history after scores of baby deaths and injuries.

Senior midwife Donna Ockenden, who is chairing the probe, said 2,297 families and 859 staff were incolved in the review, set to report its findings in June next year.

It is examining stillbirths, neonatal deaths, significant brain injuries to babies, severe maternal harm and mothers who died.

The review will not take any new cases after May 31. Ms Ockdenden said that date was “the last day on which a case that meets the terms of reference can join the review. But that is happening on or up to the May 31, so if the trust still takes a few weeks to get the records to us, even if it’s into June or July, those cases will still join.”