Nottingham NHS Trust pleads guilty to unsafe maternity care that led to three infant deaths.(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
Nottingham, UK (EPICSTORIAN) Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust has admitted to failures in maternity care that resulted in the deaths of three newborns in 2021.
The trust pleaded guilty to six charges of providing unsafe care and treatment, acknowledging critical issues that placed mothers and infants at risk.
Court Hears Details of Tragic Losses allegedly Linked to NHS Trust Failures
At Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, prosecutors outlined the circumstances that led to the deaths of Adele O’Sullivan, Kahlani Rawson, and Quinn Parker.
Adele passed away at just 26 minutes old on April 7. Kahlani died four days after birth on June 15, while Quinn lived for only one day before passing on July 16.
Errors in care, described as avoidable and systemic, contributed to their deaths. Legal representatives for the trust expressed deep regret and assured the court that steps had been taken to improve maternity services.
Increased midwife recruitment and enhanced staff training were cited as part of ongoing reforms.
Ongoing Scrutiny of Maternity Services
NUH remains under investigation in what has become the largest maternity inquiry in NHS history. Led by midwife Donna Ockenden, the inquiry is reviewing over 2,000 cases linked to allegations of poor maternity care.
This is the second time the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has prosecuted the trust over maternity failings. A previous case resulted in an £800,000 fine after a baby died 23 minutes after birth at Queen’s Medical Centre in 2019.
Sentencing to Follow
A sentencing hearing is set for Wednesday, where the court will determine the penalties for the trust’s failures. Families affected by the scandal continue to call for lasting changes in Nottingham’s maternity services.
