Health Secretary Wes Streeting has expressed his deep concern regarding the bereaved families affected by the maternity care crisis in Leeds, acknowledging the significant damage to trust surrounding the promised inquiry. Streeting is set to meet with some of these families this afternoon, aiming to address their grievances and rebuild confidence in the investigative process.
A Troubling Background
The inquiry into the maternity services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was announced in October, prompted by a BBC investigation that uncovered alarming statistics: at least 56 infant deaths over the past five years that may have been preventable. However, frustrations have mounted as no chair has yet been appointed to lead the inquiry, prompting families to call for intervention from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In a statement, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust indicated that significant measures were being taken to improve its services. Nonetheless, the lack of progress in appointing a chair has left many families feeling anxious and disillusioned. The inquiry’s credibility hinges on its ability to deliver the answers these families seek.
Streeting’s Commitment to Families
As Streeting prepares for his meeting with affected families, he has made it clear that he is dedicated to ensuring the inquiry is comprehensive, independent, and prioritises the voices of grieving families. “Losing a baby is devastating beyond words,” he stated. “You deserve not just answers, but a process you can trust. The strength and dignity these families have shown, while carrying unimaginable grief, exhibits extraordinary courage.”
Earlier this month, a group of five MPs expressed their concerns in a letter to Downing Street, highlighting that families have lost faith in the Health Secretary’s handling of the inquiry. The letter urged Sir Keir to appoint senior midwife Donna Ockenden, who is currently leading an inquiry into maternity services in Nottingham, to chair the Leeds investigation. Ockenden has indicated her readiness to take on this role immediately, should she be asked.
Families Demand Accountability
Among the families advocating for change is Fiona Winser-Ramm, who lost her daughter Aliona in January 2020 due to what an inquest deemed “gross failures” in care at Leeds General Infirmary. Winser-Ramm conveyed her frustrations regarding the disconnect between the Health Secretary’s assurances and the actual proposals for the inquiry. “When we’ve met with the Secretary of State, he often says the right things to us,” she remarked. “But it isn’t translating into what is proposed for the inquiry by the Department of Health.”
The urgency of this inquiry cannot be overstated. With each passing day without the appointment of a chair, the anxiety and anger among the families continue to grow.
Why It Matters
The ongoing issues within the maternity services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust not only highlight the critical need for accountability within the NHS but also bring to light the profound emotional toll on families who have suffered unimaginable loss. The outcome of this inquiry has the potential to reshape maternity care across the region and restore trust in a system that families rely on during some of their most vulnerable moments. It is imperative that the voices of those affected are heard and that meaningful change follows.
