An Arnold councillor is calling on the health secretary to launch a public inquiry at Nottingham hospitals, where it is claimed more than 30 babies have died under the care of the maternity units in the past decade.
An investigation by Channel 4 News and The Independent revealed that dozens of babies have died or been left with brain damage at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS trust maternity units.
They also revealed that at least 46 babies suffered brain damage and 19 were stillborn at NUH NHS trust maternity services between 2010 and 2020. There have also been 15 deaths at the units involving mothers and babies.
Nottinghamshire County Councillor Michelle Welsh, who represents Arnold, had her son 15 months ago in the Nottingham City Hospital and last month called for an overhaul of services after her experience.
“While I received fabulous care from my consultant prior to birth, both my baby and I received some of the worst of care once he was born,” she said.
But while Councillor Welsh said her experience of the maternity services ‘were bad’, she said she realises they were not as appalling as other cases that continue to come to light.
She has now has written to Health Security Sajid Javid, calling for him to conduct an independent inquiry ‘as a matter of urgency’.
Councillor Welsh wrote: “Channel 4 News has aired a programme about some of those tragic cases where women were ignored and babies lost their lives needlessly.
“A common thread in all of these cases are that they were all avoidable, that women were not listened to and that communication afterwards has been appalling.
“The protection of mothers and babies in Nottinghamshire has to be the top priority. That is why, in light of this evidence, I am calling for an Independent Inquiry into the experiences of parents who utilised NUH maternity services from 2010 and those that are using them now. This must take place as a matter of urgency and the Government must demand answers.
“Lives have tragically been lost, lives have been shattered and hearts have been broken, this must not be allowed to continue.”
In a statement following the documentary, NUH’s chief executive, Tracy Taylor, told BBC News: “We apologise from the bottom of our hearts to the families who have not received the high level of care they need and deserve, we recognise the effects have been devastating.
“Improving maternity services is a top priority and we are making significant changes including hiring and training more midwives and introducing digital maternity records.
“We will continue to listen to women and families, whether they have received excellent care or where care has fallen short; it is their experiences that will help us to learn and improve our services.”
