About 2,500 families were drawn into the Nottingham maternity review, which found 155 babies may have survived with better care and 105 suffered serious injury.
A further 520 mother-and-baby cases were graded for significant or major harm, with the report tying outcomes to poor care, missed warning signs and, in some cases, a systemic cover-up.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust apologized and said it was committed to improvements, but affected families are pressing for a statutory public inquiry and accountability.
Cases cited in the report included stillbirths after delayed intervention, newborn deaths after missed distress or blood-sugar checks, a false-positive genetic test that led to a terminated pregnancy, and a mother left with lifelong injuries after her bladder was mistakenly removed.
The findings deepen what the review calls the largest maternity scandal in NHS history and add pressure for national action on maternity safety.
As the Nottingham scandal exposes a national crisis, are other UK maternity units hiding similar deadly secrets?
Can new policies truly fix the 'toxic and cruel' NHS culture that cost hundreds of babies their lives?
With staff now arrested, will NHS leaders who oversaw a decade of harm finally face criminal charges?
The Ockenden Review: Exposing 1,000 Preventable Baby Deaths a Year and Systemic Failures in UK Maternity Care
Overview
The Ockenden Review’s final report, published in June 2026, stands as the largest-ever NHS maternity inquiry and marks a turning point for families seeking answers and justice. The report exposes damning evidence of systemic failings within maternity services, revealing a profound crisis that has led to significant numbers of avoidable baby deaths and lasting harm to mothers and children. Consultant Jack Hawkins highlighted the shocking scale of the problem, emphasizing the devastating human cost. These findings have triggered urgent calls for accountability and fundamental change, underscoring the need to address deep-rooted issues within the NHS to prevent future tragedies.