30 March 2022

Responding to the publication of the final report of the Independent Review of Maternity Services – the ‘Ockenden Report’ – Louise Barnett, Chief Executive at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said:

“Today’s report is deeply distressing, and, on behalf of all at The Trust I offer our wholehearted apologies for the pain and distress that has been caused.

“We recognise the strength and determination shown by the women and families involved and take full responsibility for our failings as a Trust.

“This brings with it a duty to ensure that the care we provide today and in the future is safe, effective, high quality, and delivered always with the needs and choices of women and families at its heart.

“We have had the first report from December 2020, which set out a wide range of actions for us, and other Trusts to deliver. Thanks to the hard work and commitment of my colleagues, we have delivered all of the actions we were asked to lead on following the first Ockenden Report, and we are extremely grateful to Mrs Ockenden and her team for all they have done to help guide these essential improvements.

“We know that we still have much more to do to ensure we deliver the highest possible standard of care to the women and families we care for.

“Now that we have received the final report, we will approach the requirements with the focus and resolve we brought to the initial recommendations.

“We owe it to those families we failed, those we care for today and in the future, and our valued colleagues providing that care, to continue to make the necessary improvements so we are delivering the best possible care for the communities we serve.”

Please see here for how the Trust responded to the actions set out in the first Ockenden Report