Joint media release on behalf of Donna Ockenden and the NUHT Family Group
Friday 1st September 2023 marks 1 year since the official start of the Independent Review into Maternity Services at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH). Following the extremely significant methodology change of opt in to opt out, both Donna Ockenden and families will be available to discuss this, as well as the progress of the Independent Review across the past year, and expected progress for the future.
A reminder:
Opt in: It means that to take part in the review, individuals must respond to formal letters from NUH to say they will take part in the review. Some families who attended the meeting said that when they received their letter, they felt unable to open them as they felt so traumatized by previous NUH correspondence they had received.
Opt out: The method used in the Shrewsbury and Telford review. Everyone contacted is given information and time to decide if they do not want to take part. If they don't want to take part, they won't be included in the reviewand families fully support and understand this. If they do wish to take part in the review, they will be automatically included, leaving them to do as much or as little as they feel able to.Just giving access to their medical records without ever needing to speak to the review will give vital information.
Across the last year, the Review team have been contacted by circa 1400 family members, and around 700 members of staff from across Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. With the introduction of the ‘Opt out’ methodology, we expect this to rise to roughly 1700 families.
Both Donna Ockenden, as Chair of the Independent Review, and the following families will be available for either live interview or prerecord throughout the day on Friday 1st September:
- Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins
- Natalie Needham
- Kimberly Errington
- Ama and Sharma Maduako
- Felicity Benyon
Interviews will be taking place at the Hilton Nottingham, Milton Street, Nottingham, NG1 3PZ, United Kingdom
Requests for interview can be made to both:
Natalie Rodgers – Marketing Director at Scala – Family Representative
0114 4070159
or
Caitlin Ockenden – Lead for Communications on the Independent Review of Maternity Services at the Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust
07557 657952
