Tuesday 14th: Review Update

Tue 14th May, 2024

Read the latest update on antenatal care from Donna Ockenden, Chair of the Independent Review of maternity services at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Update from Donna Ockenden, Chair of the Independent Review of Maternity Services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

I am contacting you today to update you on some important next steps relating to the Review’s activities.

To ensure that all aspects of maternity services provision are fully considered, we are now starting to focus on antenatal care. By antenatal care, we mean the care that women receive at various stages during their pregnancy to check that both they and their baby (or babies) are as well as possible. This can include ultrasound scanning; antenatal screening for certain conditions; and antenatal diagnosis.

We are now keen to hear from women and families who would like to tell us about the antenatal care they have received at either Nottingham City Hospital or Queen’s Medical Centre. Anyone who wishes to share their experience, or to discuss their concerns, is strongly encouraged to do so by contacting the Review team, either by telephone, on 01243 786993, or via email, at antenatalexperience@donnaockenden.com. Alternatively, more information is available from the Independent Maternity Review website at: https://www.ockendenmaternityreview.org.uk/. Members of the Review team are available to speak to between 08.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday.

Women and families participating in the Review, who feel they may need extra support, are able to access the Family Psychological Support Service (FPSS) which has been commissioned to provide specialist and person-centred psychological assistance. Any family member can benefit by the Service, including parents and carers, siblings (including those under 18 years), and grandparents. More details are available via the following link: https://www.fpssnottingham.co.uk/. Self-referrals can be made by contacting the FPSS team direct, on 0115 200 1000, or via email at enquiries@fpssnottingham.co.uk. Alternatively, family members can contact the Review team for help in making a referral, either by telephone, on 01243 786993, or via email at nottsreview@donnaockenden.com.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their ongoing support of, and engagement with, the Review. By working together across Nottinghamshire, as we are, I know that we will be able to influence the continued improvement of maternity services for all local women and their families.