Maternity inquiry chair named in government U-turn

Posted: 11th March 2026

Source: Donna Ockenden made Leeds Hospitals Trust maternity inquiry chair – BBC News

The health secretary has made a U-turn over who will lead an independent inquiry into “repeated maternity failures” at an NHS trust.

Wes Streeting has appointed Donna Ockenden, following a campaign by bereaved and harmed families, to lead the review into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust.

Ockenden, a senior midwife, is currently leading the maternity review at Nottingham, which is the largest of its kind, examining about 2,500 cases of harm to mothers and babies.

In January 2025 a BBC investigation revealed the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers at the Leeds trust over the past five years may have been prevented.

Click here to read more: Donna Ockenden made Leeds Hospitals Trust maternity inquiry chair – BBC News

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