'Families have lost trust over maternity inquiry'

"Families failed by maternity care at an NHS trust have "lost trust" in the health secretary to oversee an independent inquiry, MPs have said. Wes Streeting announced an inquiry into "repeated failures" after a BBC investigation revealed the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTH) over the past five years may have been prevented."

"Streeting said in October 2025 a thorough "Nottingham-style" investigation was required to understand what had "gone so catastrophically wrong" at Leeds' two maternity units. But he subsequently announced publicly on a BBC Radio interview that Ockenden would not chair the inquiry at Leeds. The letter, seen by the BBC, has been signed by three Labour MPs including Fabian Hamilton, Richard Burgon and Michelle Welsh who is the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for maternity"

An independent inquiry was announced after a BBC investigation indicated at least 56 babies and two mothers at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust may have died preventably over five years. Wes Streeting initially called for a thorough "Nottingham-style" investigation but later said Donna Ockenden would not chair the Leeds inquiry. Bereaved and harmed families in Leeds report feeling betrayed and have lost trust in the health secretary. MPs from multiple parties wrote to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging him to appoint Ockenden and to intervene immediately. The Department of Health states it is working with families to appoint a chair and agree terms of reference.

Read at www.bbc.com