The Ockenden Report, and Holly Eastwood’s Story

Tonight I reflected on the publication of Donna Ockenden’s devastating findings into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and why the themes in that report feel so painfully familiar across the maternity system: women not being listened to, delays in intervention, toxic workplace cultures, poor leadership, and avoidable harm. I spoke from both a professional and personal standpoint about the sobering reality of seeing repeated patterns echoed through Shrewsbury and Telford, Mid Staffordshire, and beyond, and why these stories must not be allowed to fade into yesterday’s news.I was then joined by the incredibly brave Holly Eastwood, who shared the story of her son Johnny’s birth, the trauma surrounding his delivery, the lifelong impact of his brain injury and additional needs, and the unanswered questions she has carried for more than a decade. Holly also spoke movingly about navigating a later pregnancy, raising awareness, and the importance of families speaking out when something does not feel right. This episode is a call to remember the families, honour the women and babies at the centre of these failures, and keep pushing for truth, accountability and genuine maternity safety.Donna Ockenden: https://www.donnaockenden.com/Findings, conclusions and essential actions from the independent review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust: https://www.ockendenmaternityreview.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ockenden-report-review-of-maternity-services-nottingham-university-hospitals-nhs-trust-web-accessible.pdfOckenden Maternity Review: https://www.ockendenmaternityreview.org.uk/Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust: https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/Ockenden review: summary of findings, conclusions and essential actions (Shrewsbury and Telford): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-of-the-ockenden-review/ockenden-review-summary-of-findings-conclusions-and-essential-actionsReport of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-of-the-mid-staffordshire-nhs-foundation-trust-public-inquiry/North Ayrshire Council: https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/Sunderland Royal Hospital: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk/our-locations/our-locations/sunderland-royal-hospitalRoyal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Hospitals: https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/hospitals/royal-victoria-infirmary/University Hospital Crosshouse (NHS 24 hospital listing): https://www.nhs24.scot/find-a-service/hospitals/8883%201eay1116/NHS England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/General Medical Council: https://www.gmc-uk.org/Nursing and Midwifery Council: https://www.nmc.org.uk/UK Parliament: https://www.parliament.uk/The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP: https://www.gov.uk/government/people/keir-starmerMASIC Foundation: https://masic.org.uk/MAMA Academy: https://www.mamaacademy.org.uk/Aching Arms: https://www.achingarms.co.uk/Sands: https://www.sands.org.uk/The Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/Sky News: https://news.sky.com/