Ripples from latest shock maternity review felt in Shropshire

A Shropshire hospital chief says she has written to the families they let down as “painful memories” are brought to the fore following this week’s publication of a review of maternity services in Nottingham.

The trust that runs acute hospitals in Shropshire was slammed in 2022 after an independent review of maternity services found that that that scores of babies could have survived with better care.

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“Our thoughts are with Nottingham families and those affected across SaTH,” said Jo Williams, chief executive for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

Hearing the harrowing accounts of failings at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust would be “triggering” for families, said Mrs Williams at a meeting of health commissioners on Thursday (June 25).

She said she has written to local families affected and that the trust is “focused on ensuring lasting improvements.”

In a statement earlier this week Mrs Williams said SaTH will “reflect carefully on the report, ensuring that its findings and the voices within it guide us in the care we provide.

“Listening to women and families, working together, and acting on feedback are essential to delivering safe and compassionate maternity services.

“We remain focused on ensuring lasting improvements in the care we provide, while making sure that the experiences highlighted through the Ockenden Review are never forgotten.”

Senior midwife Donna Ockenden carried out independent reviews of maternity services at both SaTH and Nottingham.

This week Ms Ockenden’s office confirmed that she had been referring to national improvements, not specifically Shropshire, when she mentioned ongoing failures to reduce stillbirths and maternal deaths.

Ms Williams also said the scandal continues to have an impact on staff who are now providing a “good service.”

Mrs Williams added that work is continuing on the 210 actions identified in SaTH’s Ockenden Review.

“We are not marking our own homework,” she said, adding that changes are independently reviewed.

“We will continue to work with families.”

She also added that the trust will “continue to wrap our arms around our staff, 90 per cent of whom are local.

“This impacts on them as well.”

Leaders of NHS commissioners in Shropshire and Staffordshire were also told at this week’s meeting that they are looking at the Nottingham report and “considering the findings.”

SaTH’s board receives regular Ockenden Review updates at its own meetings.

The last trust board meeting on May 14, 2026 reported that 196 out of the total of 210 actions have been fully completed which has been “evidenced and assured.”

SaTH’s board is next set to meet in public from 9.30am on July 9, 2026 at AFC Telford’s SEAH Stadium,  in Wellington.

SaTH has published information for current and former maternity service uses on its website https://www.sath.nhs.uk/news