Health Secretary James Murray is seeking advice on how to proceed after senior clinicians refused to provide evidence to a critical maternity inquiry in Nottingham. Murray stated that the refusal was "totally unacceptable" and that he could not understand why clinicians believed it was appropriate to withhold their testimony.
This situation arises from an ongoing review led by Donna Ockenden into maternity failings at Nottingham City Hospital, where numerous families have reported serious concerns. The inquiry has faced challenges in securing full cooperation from all relevant healthcare professionals. Jack Hawkins, whose daughter was stillborn at the hospital in 2016 following reported failings, expressed skepticism that forcing attendance would lead to meaningful accountability.
In response to issues exposed by the Nottingham review, the government is considering new measures to enhance accountability within the National Health Service (NHS). These proposed measures aim to address a perceived "culture of silence" where staff, particularly senior clinicians and hospital managers, may have discouraged the reporting of patient safety concerns. The review itself heard evidence from over 800 staff members, many of whom described feeling silenced.
Among the potential new measures is a plan to compel NHS staff, both current and former, to give evidence during maternity reviews. Those who refuse could face up to two years in prison. The government is also evaluating the introduction of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, often referred to as "Hillsborough Law." This legislation is intended to ensure greater transparency and accountability from public bodies in the aftermath of significant incidents. The bill's progress was previously halted due to disagreements concerning a potential opt-out clause for security services.
Murray indicated that he felt "numb" upon hearing accounts from families affected by the scandals. The push for greater accountability follows a pattern of reviews into healthcare failings across the UK, highlighting the need for robust processes to ensure patient safety and support for affected families. The situation in Nottingham underscores broader concerns about how professional bodies and individuals respond to investigations into serious care incidents.