NHS Trusts Maternity Investigation: What it Means for Families

The UK Government has announced a national NHS Trusts maternity investigation into 12 hospital Trusts, examining concerns around NHS maternity care, safety, and patient experience. The national maternity and neonatal investigation builds on findings from the Ockenden report and aims to identify failures, improve outcomes, and ensure families’ voices are heard.

For families affected by poor maternity care, this maternity investigation is a significant development. It raises important questions about accountability, safety standards, and what steps you can take if you believe you were affected.

At Fletchers Solicitors, with one of the UK’s leading birth injury teams’, we recognise both the significance of this announcement – and the magnitude of what needs to be achieved.

In this guide, we explain:

• What the NHS Trusts maternity investigation involves
• Why it has been launched following the Ockenden report
• Which NHS Trusts are under review
• What the investigation will examine
• What to do if you believe you were affected by negligent maternity care

Why has this NHS Trusts maternity investigation been launched?

The investigation follows years of concern about safety within NHS maternity care, highlighted most prominently by the Ockenden report into Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. 

The Ockenden report uncovered serious failings, including:

• Failure to listen to women and families
• Poor clinical decision-making
• Inadequate leadership and safety culture
• Missed opportunities to prevent avoidable harm

Despite these findings, concerns have persisted across other NHS Trusts. This national maternity investigation aims to determine whether similar issues exist more widely and ensure lessons are properly implemented.

Which NHS Trusts are included in the maternity investigation?

The 12 NHS Trusts under investigation are:

• Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (also being investigated for medical negligence from breast surgery)
• Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust
• East Kent Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust
• Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust
• Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
• Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust / Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

These Trusts have been selected based on concerns around safety, outcomes, and patient experience.

What will the maternity investigation examine?

The NHS maternity investigation will focus on several key areas:

• Patient and family experiences – women, babies, and families will be at the centre of the investigation, with their experiences helping to shape findings and recommendations.
• Safety and quality of care – investigators will assess whether clinical standards were met and whether avoidable harm occurred.
• Leadership and organisational culture – the review will examine whether Trust leadership responded appropriately to safety concerns.
• Inequalities in maternity care – particular attention will be given to disparities affecting Black, Asian, and socio-economically disadvantaged families.

What does the interim report tell us so far?

In February 2026, the Chair of the independent investigation, Baroness Valerie Amos, published an interim report as part of the ongoing NHS Trusts maternity investigation.

The report provides early insight into the current state of NHS maternity care, based on visits to Trusts, evidence from families, and feedback from staff. 

The key themes identified so far include:

• Capacity pressures across maternity services
• Variation in care between NHS Trusts
• Concerns around culture and communication
• Inequalities in maternity outcomes
• Systemic challenges affecting safety

While these are not final conclusions, the interim report reinforces concerns that have been raised in previous reviews, including the Ockenden report. 

The investigation is ongoing, with full findings and national recommendations expected in spring. The findings may also influence how future maternity and newborn safety investigations are conducted across the NHS.

How the NHS Trusts maternity investigation could improve care

The long-term goal of this NHS maternity investigation is to improve safety and rebuild trust in maternity services. If implemented effectively, it could:

• Reduce avoidable harm in childbirth
• Improve communication between clinicians and patients
• Address inequalities in maternity outcomes
• Strengthen accountability across NHS Trusts
• Ensure lessons from the Ockenden report are applied nationally

However, the impact will depend on how quickly and effectively recommendations are put into practice.

What should you do if you’ve been affected by negligent NHS care?

If you believe you were affected by poor care at one of the Trusts involved in the NHS Trusts maternity investigation, there are practical steps you can take.

1. Request your medical records

Request a full copy of your maternity and neonatal records from the hospital involved. You are legally entitled to these and they often form the foundation for understanding what happened in your care.

This includes:

• Antenatal records
• Birth plans
• CTG (fetal heart monitoring) traces
• Neonatal notes
• Discharge summaries

Hospitals must usually provide these within one calendar month of request.

2. Speak to a specialist solicitor

If you suspect NHS maternity negligence – whether in clinical decisions, delays in treatment, or failure to listen to concerns – a specialist birth injury solicitor can:

• Review your case to identify if care fell below acceptable standards
• Arrange independent medical experts to assess what went wrong
• Help secure compensation, rehabilitation support, and future care funding where appropriate

3. Access emotional and peer support

Experiences of birth trauma can be difficult to revisit. Organisations like the Maternity Safety Alliance and other support groups can offer guidance and community support. If you are pursuing a birth injury claim with Fletchers, we can help you access the right maternity safety support groups.

About Fletchers

We are proud to represent some of the most complex and sensitive maternity negligence cases in the UK from birth injuries with lifelong consequences to moderate but still serious failings in care. Our approach is always compassionate, expert, and thorough.

What sets us apart:

• One of the UK’s leading birth injury teams, with decades of specialist experience
• Proven success in high-value and high-profile maternity cases
• Commitment to systemic change as well as individual justice
• Ability to act for multiple families affected by the same Trust or hospital

At Fletchers, our mission is to help people rebuild their futures with legal support delivered with care, clarity and compassion.

We understand how difficult it can be to revisit experiences around birth trauma or loss. If you believe that you or your baby were harmed due to unsafe maternity care – especially at one of the Trusts now under investigation – our team is here to listen.

We offer free, confidential advice with no pressure or obligation. Whether you’re looking for answers, support, or simply want to understand your options, we’re here when you’re ready.

Email us on [email protected] or telephone us on 0330 013 0246.

A significant step for maternity safety

The NHS maternity services investigation marks an important moment for maternity care in the UK. Building on the findings of the Ockenden report, it represents an opportunity to address systemic issues and improve outcomes for families.

For those affected, it’s also a chance to be heard, to understand what happened, and to contribute meaningful change.