Families in NHS Maternity Review Slammed as ‘Compo Seekers’
URGENT UPDATE: Families involved in the largest NHS maternity review have been shockingly labeled as “compo seekers” by staff at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust (NUH). This inquiry, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, examines serious healthcare failings affecting mothers and babies at the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital.
The review, which began in 2022, now encompasses 2,425 families after accepting additional cases. Originally set to conclude with findings published in September 2025, the timeline has been pushed back to June 2026, following a significant error involving the review team. The inquiry aims to uncover the heartbreaking incidents of maternal and infant deaths dating back to 2012.
During a public meeting held on September 3, 2025, NUH Chief Executive Anthony May addressed the troubling allegations. Families reportedly felt stigmatized for participating in the review. May stated, “Families have heard that they’re criticized for being in the review and that they’re in the review on the basis that they are seeking compensation.”
Parents Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who lost their baby Harriet at City Hospital in 2016, expressed outrage over the accusations. Jack stated, “We want change… If your attitude is that you don’t and that we are in fact scamming the system, it’s so disheartening.” Sarah added, “Life couldn’t get any worse and they did this to us.”
The couple is demanding disciplinary action for those responsible for making such comments. Another mother involved in the inquiry emphasized the need for accountability, highlighting that mere apologies are insufficient. “We want [NUH] to admit something’s happened. We want to name names,” she asserted.
In response to the controversy, May expressed his shock, declaring the comments unacceptable. He conveyed that he has reached out to all NUH staff, stressing that any derogatory remarks would be treated as a conduct issue. “The vast majority of people who work in the trust would never, ever dream of saying that,” he affirmed.
The inquiry is further complicated by an ongoing corporate manslaughter investigation initiated by Nottinghamshire Police, which seeks to determine whether the responsibility for the tragic outcomes lies with the trust as a whole.
As this situation develops, families continue to call for significant changes in the system that failed them, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and compassion within healthcare services. The emotional toll on these families is profound, with many seeking justice for their lost loved ones and improved care for future patients.
Stay tuned for more updates on this critical investigation as the implications for maternal healthcare in the NHS unfold.
