Over 500 mothers and babies harmed in major UK maternity scandal

Nottingham case is the latest in a series of maternity care scandals in England

More than 500 mothers and babies suffered avoidable harm or died because of poor maternity care at a UK hospital trust.

The investigation found that at least 156 baby deaths and six maternal deaths were linked to serious failures at two maternity units run by Nottingham University Hospitals Trust in central England.

The inquiry reviewed cases from 2012 to 2025. It involved more than 2,500 families and became the largest maternity investigation in the history of the UK National Health Service (NHS). The report revealed major problems in patient care. It found that many families raised concerns, but hospital staff often ignored them. Investigators also found failures in communication, decision making, and patient safety.

One of the cases involved Sarah and Jack Hawkins. Their daughter Harriet was stillborn in 2016. The couple said hospital staff dismissed their concerns and failed to tell them the full truth about what happened.

Lead investigator Donna Ockenden described a bullying and toxic culture within the trust. She said a small group of senior leaders created an unhealthy working environment. Harriet death could have been avoided. Among the baby deaths, 94 were stillbirths and 62 babies died shortly after birth. Causes included oxygen deprivation and hospital acquired infections.

The inquiry also examined the case of Wynter Andrews. Her parents were wrongly advised to end a healthy pregnancy in 2019. Her father said doctors failed to listen to mothers and their concerns. Speaking in Parliament, Health Minister James Murray called the findings shocking. He criticized the lack of accountability and said regulators focused more on protecting staff than helping affected families.

Murray also condemned reports of neglect, discrimination, harassment, and poor treatment. He promised that the government would introduce an action plan before the end of the year. The Nottingham case is the latest in a series of maternity care scandals in England. Similar concerns have previously emerged at hospitals in East Kent, Morecambe Bay, and Shrewsbury and Telford.