Scala shortlisted for ‘Specialist Consultancy of the Year’ at the 2023 CIPR Excellence Awards

We are delighted to announce that Scala has been shortlisted as ‘Specialist Consultancy of the Year’ at the 2023 Chartered Institute of PR CIPR Excellence Awards for our campaign work surrounding the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUHT) Maternity Scandal.

Scala first provided PR support to Dr Jack and Sarah Hawkins in 2017 in relation to their clinical negligence claim against NUHT. Their daughter, Harriet, died intrapartum in April 2016 following a mismanaged labour. They were originally told that Harriet died of an ‘infection’ but because of their medical background they knew this to be untrue. The couple fiercely challenged the explanation and, with the support of their legal team, called for an investigation which subsequently identified 13 significant care and service delivery problems. It was clear because the systematic failures at the Trust that Harriet wouldn’t be the only baby to have been harmed because of the failings in maternity care.

Scala supported the couple and their legal team to launch a high-profile PR campaign to encourage other families affected to come forward to spearhead the changes needed to bring about lasting change, and an independent review into the maternity services in Nottingham. As more families came forward, the campaign intensified, and Scala have supported many other families to add their story and voice to the campaign. Following prolonged and intensive media attention, in 2022 MP Sajid Javid (the Health Secretary at the time) agreed to meet with the families to discuss the scandal. During this meeting the families demanded for the high-profile independent Midwife, Donna Ockenden, to be appointed to conduct an Independent Review in Maternity Services in Nottingham.

Donna was appointed in September 2022, a significant milestone in the campaign work. There are now 900 families who have come forward, making this the UK’s biggest maternity scandal. In January 2023, there was the first CQC Criminal Prosecution against NUHT for failures to maternity care; only the second prosecution that has been brought for maternity failings. Scala provided PR support to the family, Gary and Sarah Andrews, whose baby Wynter, died whilst under the care of the hospital.

Throughout this campaign, Scala have secured significant national and local coverage, including the BBC, ITV, Sky News, Channel 4, The Independent, Woman’s Hour, The Times and Victoria Derbyshire. 

"We are honoured to be recognised for such a prestigious industry award. At the heart of our work are the families whose lives have been torn apart as a result of the inadequacies of maternity services in Nottingham. We are proud to have supported the families in their fight for justice and lasting change. This campaign has been a testament to the power of collective action and the critical role that PR and communications can have.”

- Natalie Rodgers, Marketing Director at Scala.