health
Belittled, ignored or gaslit – now we know the true cost of not listening to pregnant women
The Ockenden report tells a terrible story of neglect. It’s a story that I – and far too many women I know – recognise
TL;DR
- The Ockenden report details horrifying failures in maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust, resulting in immense suffering for mothers and babies.
- Key issues include deep-rooted systemic problems, a toxic workplace culture, and widespread staff shortages.
- Women's concerns and symptoms were frequently dismissed, minimized, or attributed to maternal anxiety, a phenomenon described as gaslighting.
- These failures disproportionately affected women from Black, Asian, and other ethnic backgrounds, teenage mothers, and those from deprived backgrounds.
- The article calls for investment in well-funded, humane maternity services with skilled, valued staff, accountable management, and a culture that believes women.