Sarah Hawkins

Dozens of families have written to the government expressing concern over a review into failing maternity units in Nottingham.

A probe into Nottingham University Hospitals Trust is under way after or were injured.

But families say the review is " moving with the viscosity of treacle".

They have called for Donna Ockenden, who led The Inquiry into the, to take charge of a review.

In a letter to Health Secretary Sajid Javid , a group of 100 people raised concerns with the current thematic review, which is being led by The Local clinical commissioning group (CCG) and Nhs England , and Nhs Improvement .

According to the CCG, the review will look at themes and trends and put in " place detailed and measurable actions so improvements can be made fast".

But families have questioned the independence of the review and The Experience of The Team to handle a probe of this magnitude.

It is chaired by Cathy Purt, a long-time NHS manager who the families believe has no experience of running complex inquiries or maternity services.

The Letter states: " If families are to be safeguarded, real intervention is required.

" The review So Far has been less than impactful, understaffed and moving with the viscosity of treacle. "

The families say the " answer is Donna Ockenden" who led The Inquiry into the maternity scandal at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospitals Trust .

Sarah Hawkins , who was awarded a £2. 8m settlement after Her Daughter was delivered stillborn after mistakes at Nottingham City Hospital in 2016, said a review by Donna Ockenden would lead to many more affected families coming forward.

" I Am confident that we will get into the thousands of families, " She Said .

Her husband Jack Hawkins added: " We need urgent change to how maternity is working in Nottingham. There are still babies coming to harm.

" Donna Ockenden knows what she's doing. She's got huge wealth of experience and expertise.

" This current team is not going to deliver what is needed. "

The Number of families taking part in the review has increased from 84 to 461 in a month, The Bbc has learned.

Maternity units run by The Trust - which oversees care at Nottingham City Hospital and The Queen 's Medical Centre - have been by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) since 2020.

An inspection found " serious concerns" and that some staff " did not always understand How To keep women and babies safe".

Following a reinspection last month, the CQC to The Trust , highlighting concerns over triage services and increases in stillbirths.

At a meeting with families last week, the review team said 179 families, about half those who had been In Touch at The Time , had still to be contacted.

The review is expected to be completed on 30 November 2022.

A spokesperson for the review [at NUH] said: " We would like to thank all the families who have come forward So Far . Families and partners will be updated shortly. "

A spokesperson for The Local CCG, Nhs England and Nhs Improvement [which commissioned the Review at NUH] added: " The ongoing thematic review has a dedicated team who are ensuring that The Experience of women and families is heard.

" We will continue to monitor the progress of the review and ensure that any necessary improvements to maternity services are put in place. "

Rupert Egginton, acting chief executive at The Trust , said: " We Are doing everything in our power to ensure patients using our maternity services get The Best care. "

Source of news: bbc.com