"I'll do everything in my power to ensure no woman, no family, ever has to suffer like this again"

HEALTH SECRETARY IN SECOND VISIT TO CITY TO MEET FAMILIES AFFECTED BY MATERNITY CARE FAILINGS

- By JOEL MOORE

THE Health Secretary has pledged to do “everything in his power” to make sure nobody else suffers from maternity failings after meeting families in Nottingham for a second time.

Wes Streeting visited the city yesterday where he spoke with parents who have lost babies, suffered life-changing harm and fought NHS cover-ups.

His trip comes amid growing calls for a statutory public inquiry into national maternity failings, and families in Nottingham were told he is “holding open” the option. It is the second time the Labour minister has made the trip, having heard the harrowing experiences of 19 families in March.

The Secretary of State's visit to the city was noticeably public. He made his exit from the meeting at the city centre Hilton hotel via the main front entrance onto one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, Milton Street, where the Post photographed him.

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), which runs Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, is currently subject to the largest maternity review in NHS history. Around 2,500 families are now part of the independent inquiry, which is being chaired by expert midwife Donna Ockenden, while a police investigation is currently ongoing.

However, families have called for a public inquiry into the scandal which also examines past inaction by NHS England and health regulators such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Following the latest meeting, Mr Streeting said he had left the city with “clear advice” from families.