Public inquiry call over Nottingham maternity service failings

Calls for a public inquiry into a trust's under-fire maternity services have been backed by councillors.

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust is facing questions after an investigation found dozens of babies in its care died or were left with serious injuries.

Nottinghamshire county councillors have passed a motion calling for a meeting with Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

The units are already the subject of an independent review.

A Care Quality Commission report, published in 2020, rated maternity units at Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen's Medical Centre as inadequate, highlighting poor management, low staffing and fears over the standard of care.

The motion backing a public inquiry was put forward by Labour councillor Michelle Welsh and passed unanimously.

NUH has previously said it was "fully co-operating" with the independent review.

A spokesperson added: "We are doing everything in our power to ensure the families using our maternity services get the best possible care."

The Department of Health and Social Care said patient safety was "a top priority" and added it was aware of concerns raised about the trust's maternity services.

"An independent review of maternity incidents, complaints and concerns at Nottingham University Hospitals is ongoing," a spokesperson said.

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