Donna Ockenden's investigation into maternity services revealed critical failings in care and accountability, impacting over 200 babies and nine mothers.
Her personal experiences with homelessness and trauma shaped her compassionate approach and commitment to improve maternity care for families.
Deep dives
The Impact of Donna Ockenden's Work
Donna Ockenden leads significant inquiries into maternity services, most notably the Ockenden Review, which unveiled critical failures at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. This investigation revealed a disturbing legacy of poor practices and culture, resulting in the deaths of over 200 babies and nine mothers. Her findings brought national attention to the need for reforms in maternity care, highlighting the lack of accountability in the NHS. Ockenden's current work focuses on maternity services at Nottingham University Hospital, emphasizing her commitment to listening to families and ensuring safer care.
Resilience Through Adversity
Ockenden's personal journey is marked by resilience, as she overcame significant challenges including homelessness and the trauma of sexual abuse in her youth. Her dedication to midwifery stems from a promise made to a baby, Gina, who died shortly after birth, vowing to improve maternity care for future families. This emotional connection fuels her commitment to support those experiencing grief and loss in her professional role. Ockenden emphasizes the importance of self-care and team support, reflecting on her early experiences that shaped her empathetic approach to work.
Influence of Family and Background
Donna Ockenden's upbringing in a struggling family in South Wales informs her work ethic and dedication to bettering maternal services. Growing up in poverty, she witnessed her parents' sacrifices, which instilled in her the resolve to provide the best care possible. Her father's work as a carpenter and her mother's struggles with mental health highlighted the complexities of familial relationships and the impact of past traumas. These experiences fostered her understanding of the emotional needs of families, guiding her compassionate approach in her midwifery career.
The Power of Promises and Connections
Ockenden's career is underscored by her promise to make a difference in maternity care, a pledge rooted in her early experiences with loss. This commitment was reinforced by her connection to parents she served, particularly the family of baby Gina, whom she helped deliver into the world following tragedy. Ockenden's ability to maintain such deep connections with the families she works with demonstrates her dedication to honoring their stories and experiences. She believes that through compassion and listening, she can support families navigating the most challenging times in their lives.
Donna Ockenden is a former clinical midwife who led the Ockenden Review which revealed, at the time, the biggest maternity scandal in NHS history. Published in 2022, the review highlighted serious failings in maternity care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust which contributed to the deaths of more than 200 babies and nine mothers.
Donna grew up in the village of Aberaman in the Welsh Valleys. She experienced a complicated childhood which included a period living in a homeless shelter along with her mother and four siblings. She is also a survivor of sexual abuse and believes her background helped her develop a tenacity and determination which she went on to apply to her work.
She completed her nursing training in Swansea and Neath and trained as a midwife at the Portsmouth School of Midwifery. In 2015 she became Senior Midwifery Adviser to the Chief Executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
In May 2022 she was appointed chair of the independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust which will be published next year. It is already the largest investigation into a single service in the NHS, hearing evidence from over 2,000 families so far.
Donna lives in Chichester with her two cats.
Details of organisations offering information and support with child sexual abuse or child bereavement are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
DISC ONE: We’ve Only Just Begun - The Carpenters
DISC TWO: Bye Bye Baby - Bay City Rollers
DISC THREE: Ukulele Lady - Ethel Merman
DISC FOUR: Isn’t It Amazing - Hothouse Flowers
DISC FIVE: If Only - Hazel O’Connor
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DISC EIGHT: Francesca - Hozier
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LUXURY ITEM: Red lipstick
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: I Can See Clearly Now - Hothouse Flowers
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