A senior midwife has accused Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH) of neglecting families affected by clinical negligence, which led to the deaths of over 200 babies.
Donna Ockenden, who led an inquiry into the birth injury scandal at SaTH two years ago, expressed dismay that these families had not been contacted since her report.
The inquiry revealed catastrophic failures at SaTH, resulting in the deaths of 201 babies and nine mothers who might have survived with better care. Despite this, families report no communication from the trust, eroding their confidence.
Mrs. Ockenden, who met with affected families, reported complaints of fear and a lack of trust. Many children now have lifelong health needs due to birth trauma, and parents are afraid to return to local hospitals, the BBC reports. “It was the trust’s job to engage with these harmed families—1,500 families—but now I must act as a bridge,” she said, committing to ongoing support.
Testimonial
One mother shared, “We poured out our hearts, sustained further trauma, and still, the trust did not listen.” Mrs. Ockenden noted the trust offered “no credible explanation” for the lack of contact. Louise Barnett, SaTH’s Chief Executive, acknowledged the failures: “We are truly sorry and are working to ensure our services are safe and to better engage with affected families.”
Despite these promises, Mrs. Ockenden highlighted the absence of communication or visible improvements from the trust, emphasising her commitment to supporting the families.
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