MPs to Question NHS Leaders Over Maternity Scandal, Says Streeting

Force bosses to face MPs over – Former health secretary Wes Streeting has urged Members of Parliament to leverage their legislative authority to summon top NHS officials for questioning in connection with the ongoing Nottingham maternity inquiry. The call comes amid growing public concern over the systemic failures that contributed to the tragic deaths and injuries of hundreds of mothers and newborns during the largest maternity crisis in NHS history.

Key Findings of the Ockenden Report

The comprehensive review conducted by Donna Ockenden revealed alarming lapses in care, with 66 senior staff members from Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust initially approached for input. However, only 35 of them were interviewed, leaving significant gaps in the understanding of the events leading to preventable harm. Ockenden highlighted that these omissions suggested a reluctance among some leaders to fully disclose the circumstances, which she described as a “systemic cover-up” exacerbating the crisis.

More than 2,500 families and over 800 former and current employees of the trust participated in the inquiry, which began in 2022. Despite the extensive involvement, Ockenden acknowledged that the lack of participation from key figures during her presentation at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Nottingham on June 24 created uncertainties in the findings. This admission has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability within the NHS.

Streeting’s Demand for Parliamentary Action

Streeting, who resigned from his role in May, emphasized that the refusal of senior staff to testify was not just an oversight but a display of “cowardice” that undermined the trust of affected families. In a letter to health and social care select committee chair Layla Moran, he argued that these individuals should be compelled to explain their actions before Parliament. “Their cowardice is an insult to the Nottingham families,” he wrote. “Having sat and listened to those parents recount their harrowing experiences, I find it simply unconscionable that people who worked for the NHS would deny them an honest account of what went wrong and why.”

Streeting suggested that the threat of parliamentary contempt could be a necessary tool to ensure that those in power are held accountable. “This is indicative of a cover-up culture in the NHS that must be brought to an end,” he added. “If the threat of being held in contempt of Parliament is necessary to force those in positions of power to be accountable, then so be it.”

Jack Hawkins’ Perspective on the Inquiry

Jack Hawkins, a whistleblower whose daughter Harriet died stillborn at Nottingham City Hospital in April 2016, expressed support for Streeting’s stance but raised concerns about the implications of involving Parliament. He worried that questioning NHS leaders before MPs might interfere with the ongoing police investigation into the trust’s maternity failings. “Wes, I really hope you have spoken to Nottinghamshire Police,” Hawkins stated in a

quote>. “If you do something that messes up the police investigation, you will have the fury of Nottingham families descend on you.”

Despite his reservations, Hawkins acknowledged the emotional weight of the situation. “I think your heart is in the right place,” he said. “But because you haven’t involved us in your discussion, it does make us unsettled by why you’re doing this.” He reiterated his demand for a statutory public inquiry, arguing that such a process would ensure all witnesses, including those in leadership roles, are required to provide evidence in a court-like setting. “These senior NHS leaders—both at NUH and in the regional team—need to be questioned in court by a barrister with witnesses, with evidence,” he explained. “Otherwise, they are going to come up and say things that don’t really advance the argument and the discussion.”

Impact of the Maternity Crisis

The Ockenden report underscored the severity of the situation, revealing that alternative care strategies might have altered the outcomes for 260 babies who died or suffered harm. Harriet Hawkins’ case, which led to her stillbirth after repeated delays in intervention, became a symbol of the systemic issues at play. An external review identified multiple failings, with Ockenden describing the case as “compounded by a systemic cover-up and investigations designed to mislead.”

Anthony May, the current chief executive of NUH, defended the trust’s engagement with the inquiry, stating that senior executives had actively participated. However, he acknowledged that some gaps in knowledge persisted due to the absence of certain figures. This has fueled criticism from families and campaigners who feel the NHS has not yet fully addressed the root causes of the crisis.

Broader Implications for NHS Accountability

Maternity campaigners have warned that the turmoil following the Ockenden report could have long-term consequences for the NHS’s reputation. They argue that the refusal of leaders to testify reflects a broader culture of deflection and secrecy. “We don’t know what these people know, why they didn’t want to take part in the Ockenden review, and why there are so many dead and harmed families in Nottingham,” Hawkins said, emphasizing the need for a thorough and transparent inquiry.

The call for a statutory public inquiry has gained traction among advocates, who believe it would provide a more rigorous examination of the failures. Streeting’s proposal to use parliamentary powers aligns with recommendations from the Institute for Government think tank, which noted that select committees can compel witnesses to attend and answer questions within the UK. This legal tool, combined with public pressure, is seen as a critical step in ensuring accountability.

Voices from the Affected Families

The inquiry has given a platform for families impacted by the crisis to share their personal stories. Gary and Sarah Andrews, whose daughter Wynter died, described the emotional journey from initial hope to profound grief. Their experience is emblematic of the many families who have been left questioning the care they received and the systems in place to protect them.

Streeting’s initiative has sparked renewed debate about the role of Parliament in overseeing NHS operations. By demanding that those who refused to testify face MPs, he aims to shift the focus from internal reviews to a more public and legally binding process. This approach, he argues, is essential to restoring confidence in the NHS and ensuring that all stakeholders are held to account.