In a significant shift, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has appointed Donna Ockenden to lead an independent inquiry into persistent maternity failures at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. This decision comes after mounting pressure from bereaved families and advocates demanding accountability in the wake of alarming findings that suggest numerous infant and maternal deaths could have been avoided.
A Long-Awaited Leadership Change
The announcement marks a pivotal moment in a review that has drawn considerable public attention. Ockenden, a respected senior midwife, is currently heading a major inquiry in Nottingham, where she is scrutinising approximately 2,500 cases of harm to mothers and infants. The inquiry into the Leeds Trust was first initiated in October 2025, with Streeting emphasising the need to identify the catastrophic failures that have plagued the maternity units at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital.
Streeting’s initial reluctance to appoint Ockenden stirred discontent among families affected by these tragedies. Just days after announcing the inquiry, he stated in a BBC interview that she would not serve as the chair, a decision that faced significant backlash.
Families’ Voices Amplified
The persistent advocacy from families played a crucial role in this leadership change. In February, families and local MPs called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to intervene and appoint Ockenden, expressing their loss of confidence in Streeting’s commitment to a thorough investigation. This grassroots campaign reflected a broader demand for accountability and transparency within the NHS.
Amarjit Kaur Matharoo, who tragically lost her daughter Asees in January 2024, expressed relief at the appointment. “It has been a long and exhausting fight to reach this point,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of having an independent figure leading the inquiry. Lauren Caulfield, whose daughter was stillborn in March 2022, echoed these sentiments, stating that the announcement felt like a meaningful tribute to her daughter’s memory.
Ockenden’s Vision for the Review
In her response to the appointment, Ockenden acknowledged the prolonged struggle families have endured to achieve this outcome. She articulated her commitment to providing families with “trusted answers” regarding their experiences within the maternity services. The review aims not only to investigate past incidents but also to implement strategies for enhancing the safety and quality of maternity care moving forward.
She has assembled a diverse multidisciplinary team to ensure a comprehensive examination of each case. The inquiry will focus on stillbirths, neonatal fatalities, severe injuries, and maternal deaths occurring between January 2011 and December 2025, operating on an opt-out model for case reviews.
An Urgent Call to Action
Fiona Winser-Ramm, who lost her daughter Aliona Grace in 2020, urged others affected by similar tragedies to engage with the review. “Your experience matters,” she stated, underscoring that the inquiry is a critical opportunity for change.
The concerns surrounding the maternity units were underscored by a BBC investigation revealing that at least 56 baby deaths and two maternal fatalities may have been preventable. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) downgraded the trust’s maternity units from “good” to “inadequate” in June 2025, identifying a culture of blame that deterred staff from reporting issues.
Brendan Brown, Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, publicly committed to cooperating fully with Ockenden and her team. He acknowledged the need for significant improvements in the trust’s maternity services, which have been under scrutiny following CQC and NHS England reviews.
Why it Matters
The appointment of Donna Ockenden to lead the inquiry into maternity failures at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust represents a critical juncture for public health in the UK. Families affected by tragic outcomes are finally being heard, and their insistence on accountability is driving a much-needed reform within the NHS. This review not only seeks to uncover the truths behind these failures but also aims to restore faith in maternity services—a vital component of healthcare that affects countless families. The success of this inquiry could pave the way for systemic changes, ensuring that the voices of bereaved families are not only acknowledged but also acted upon to prevent future tragedies.
