March 30 2022

The final report of the Independent Maternity Review of Maternity Services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust - the Ockenden report - reveals an NHS maternity service that failed families, leading to babies’ deaths that could have been avoided.

Shauna Leven, Chief Executive Officer of Twins Trust, said: "We are deeply saddened to read the report. We must never allow this unprecedented failure of maternity services to happen again. All parents deserve to have the best care from their maternity provider.

"It’s quite clear that the impact for both multiples and all other families is the result of failures to ensure that women receive the right level of care in line with national guidance. We are still seeing significant inequity in care across the country. Rapid implementation of the essential actions highlighted in the report are fundamental to improving care and outcomes.

"Twins Trust is committed to helping maternity care units improve their antenatal care through our Maternity Engagement Programme. We work with specialist midwives and visit maternity units to help improve the level of care given.

"Our Bereavement Support Service is available for any families of multiples affected by the report."