Nottingham Maternity and Neonatal Services

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Excerpts

Monday 29th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen (Non-Afl)]

This is the most appalling thing that has happened. I have great respect for the Minister, and I thank her for letting us know about some of the action plans going ahead. What has gone wrong with a profession where the professionals have seemingly no empathy for those they are caring for? Is this about society? Have we given up putting others first? Have we become a society where we do not listen and do not treat each person as an individual with needs individual to them? That is what I was taught when I was given my nursing training. Is that being taught now? Have we forgotten how we behave towards individuals when they are asking for help? Do we not listen and do everything in our power to make them feel better? Government cannot do everything; it has to be society that can, in some way, teach people in these very important roles how they treat the human beings in front of them.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I certainly agree. Every woman, in the case of maternity services, deserves safe and compassionate maternity care. That is why we are so determined to drive urgent improvements in maternity services. It is worth noting that this review—the largest ever of its kind, as the noble Lord, Lord Kamall, said—considered the experience of more than 2,500 families and 830 staff. I think it is important that your Lordships’ House also remembers how many staff have found themselves in situations they would never have wanted to be in. I am sure that the noble Baroness, like me, pays great tribute to the many NHS staff who are in the majority in doing their work in a compassionate way—as the noble Baroness has experienced.

I cannot comment on whether it is specific to society but, from Donna Ockenden’s conclusions, there was something deeply wrong here. Whether it was not listening, culture or racism and discrimination towards women, families and staff, and between staff, we cannot have it.