Ockenden Dismisses Amos Review as Unoriginal
Senior midwife and maternity investigator Donna Ockenden has publicly criticised Baroness Valerie Amos's recent report on NHS maternity failings, stating it "hasn't taught me anything new." Speaking on Times Radio on Tuesday, Ockenden expressed disappointment that the review merely reiterated known issues instead of offering fresh insights or solutions.
Ockenden, who is widely respected by bereaved families and recently published a damning report on 520 cases of avoidable harm and death at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "I am disappointed that we're seeing the same themes over and over again, but it hasn't taught me anything new, sadly." She also chairs independent reviews into poor maternity care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust.
Doubts Over National Maternity Commissioner Role
When asked if she would accept the proposed role of national maternity commissioner—recommended by Lady Amos and endorsed by the Government—Ockenden was hesitant. She acknowledged signing a petition supporting the creation of the role but questioned its effectiveness: "My concern now is, can one person actually fix this system, where indeed I think it needs concerted, timely, urgent action from Secretary of State right down to the ground."
Ockenden added: "I'm really rather busy with other reviews across the country, and I wouldn't want to be a failure because of lack of time or lack of focus or effort by others who should be doing more." She emphasised that maternity services have not improved in the last two years and that time is running out.
Criticism of Specific Recommendations
Ockenden rejected a key recommendation from Lady Amos's report—having more doctors on site at weekends—saying: "No, absolutely not." She highlighted significant gaps in medical rotas across most NHS trusts and warned that resident trainee doctors are reporting concerns about completing their training. "Adding extra responsibilities doesn't seem to make any sense to me," she said.
She also criticised the Government's timeline for an action plan, due in December, calling it "absolutely unacceptable." Ockenden stressed: "We don't have six months, we don't have time on our side." She expressed concern that maternal deaths are increasing and stillbirths remain above pre-pandemic levels, indicating the system is "still going backwards."
Dispute Over 'Normal Birth Ideology'
Ockenden commented on the resignation of Dr Bill Kirkup, former expert adviser to Lady Amos's review, who stepped down over a disagreement about "normal birth ideology." Ockenden said: "In our Nottingham report, we talked about a normalisation of deviance... where women were denied Caesarean sections when they begged for Caesarean sections with often tragic circumstances." She argued the issue is national and goes beyond "medical misogyny," describing it as a cultural problem affecting both doctors and midwives.
Responses from Lady Amos and Government
Lady Amos defended her report on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, stating that a statutory public inquiry is not necessary if her recommendations are implemented quickly. She said the maternity commissioner role would provide "an independent voice and advocate for women and families" to drive change and report to Parliament.
Health Secretary James Murray told BBC Breakfast that he understands families' calls for a public inquiry and is "not taking anything off the table" regarding accountability. The Maternity Safety Alliance, representing bereaved families, has described the proposed commissioner role as "dangerous" for concentrating power too narrowly.
