Lessons identified in Ockenden review must lead to real change

Responding to the Ockenden review and the government's decision to roll out Martha's Rule to all maternity services, the interim acute and ambulance network director at The NHS Alliance, Matthew Hopkins, said:
 
"This report exposes the serious failings in care and very significant harm experienced by women, babies and families. Their voices must be heard, and the lessons identified in this report must lead to real change. 
 
"NHS leaders and maternity teams across the country will want to study these findings closely and reflect on what they mean for local services. While there remains a strong commitment across the NHS to improving the safety, quality and experience of maternity and neonatal care, the priority now is to ensure services are supported effectively to implement and sustain meaningful improvement. This must mean transparency, accountability and an unwavering focus on better outcomes for women, babies and families from now on.
 
"The extended roll out of Martha’s Rule to all maternity services is a positive step. We have already seen significant safety benefits since this approach was introduced in the NHS and its wider implementation will provide reassurance for many more patients, carers and families.
 
"The decision to compel staff who are responsible for maternity care failures to give evidence to investigations should improve transparency and accountability, and help establish key lessons in a timely way."