Victoria Rixon

This week I spoke candidly about the mounting crisis in UK maternity services, reflecting on the impact of the Ockenden findings in Nottingham, the Amos review, and the wider pattern of investigations now unfolding across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I shared why I believe the missing piece in so many public conversations is the voice of midwives themselves, and why true accountability has to hold both family testimony and staff testimony together. I also read my public call for an independent investigation into maternity services at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, setting out the concerns that staff, student midwives, bereaved parents and harmed families have trusted me to carry forward.My guests were Liz Gunn and Nick Oliver. Nick spoke with extraordinary honesty about the stillbirth of his daughter, Sarah Louise, at Derriford Hospital 21 years ago, the trauma that followed, and the lifelong ripple effects on grief, faith and family life. Together we explored what compassionate care can look like in the smallest of gestures, how fathers are so often overlooked in bereavement, and why saying a baby’s name matters. This was a deeply emotional conversation about loss, truth, courage and remembrance, and I was honoured to dedicate the episode to Nick and to Sarah Louise Oliver.NHS England – Ockenden review of maternity services: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/ockenden-review-of-maternity-services/Independent Review of Maternity Services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (report PDF): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a3bb59c4c7605ab567238ec/ockenden-report-review-of-maternity-services-nottingham-university-hospitals-nhs-trust-e-lay.pdfNHS England – Baroness Amos’ independent investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/publication-of-baroness-amos-independent-investigation-into-maternity-and-neonatal-services-in-england/University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/Derriford Hospital: https://www.nhs.uk/services/hospital/derriford-hospital/RK950Sands – Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity: https://www.sands.org.uk/Freedom Train International: https://freedomtraininternational.org/Food For Thought Radio: https://www.fftradio.com/Paul English Live: https://paulenglishlive.com/The Never Settle Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/3YWZ3RSb81vtuTKWjDuJ2YThe Chosen: https://www.thechosen.tv/en-usThe Salvation Army UK and Ireland: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/New Wine: https://new-wine.org/J.John: https://jjohn.com/5&2 Christian Clothing: https://www.5and2.co.uk/about-5-2X: https://x.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/Rumble: https://rumble.com/

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/

Tonight I’m joined by fellow FTT host and former NHS healthcare assistant Shelly Tasker for a frank conversation about whistleblowing, life on the wards during the early pandemic, and the personal and professional fallout that followed. Shelly recounts empty wards in Cornwall, the moment she publicly resigned in uniform, and the hostility she later faced when trying to return to caring roles. We also explore the emotional toll on families and staff, the culture of fear, data‑driven targets, and the grinding impact of investigations and references on people who speak up.In the second half I reflect on this week’s heavy maternity news: the scale of the Nottingham review, growing allegations in Leeds, persistent concerns over workplace culture, and calls for a public inquiry into the NMC. We touch on continuity of carer, the realities of postnatal safety, home and hospital birth politics, and why transparency, accountability and practical remedies for mothers, babies and midwives are urgently needed.Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust – Maternity services: https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/maternityLeeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – Maternity (The Leeds Maternity Unit): https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/a-z-of-services/maternity-services/The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust – Ockenden information: https://www.sath.nhs.uk/about-us/ockenden/Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC): https://www.nmc.org.uk/Professional Standards Authority (PSA): https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/Department of Health and Social Care (UK): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-careNHS England – Maternity and neonatal services: https://www.england.nhs.uk/maternity/University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (Derriford Hospital): https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (Treliske): https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby): https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/NHS Ayrshire & Arran (University Hospital Crosshouse): https://www.nhsaaa.net/BBC News – Health: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/healthHealth Service Journal (HSJ): https://www.hsj.co.uk/The Lancet – Journals homepage (for postpartum haemorrhage series access): https://www.thelancet.com/Royal College of Midwives (RCM): https://www.rcm.org.uk/LBC – Radio: https://www.lbc.co.uk/

In this episode of Food for Thought Radio, I round up a difficult week of maternity headlines across the UK and Ireland—from historic legal settlements and reported serious adverse events to unacceptable delays for induction of labour—and reflect on what these stories mean for families, midwives and services. We also look ahead to the imminent Nottingham maternity review by Donna Ockenden and the subsequent rapid review across multiple trusts, and I reiterate my ongoing commitment to the cases of Elizabeth Dixon and baby Belle. My guest “Robin Hood” joins me to discuss how fear, opaque corporate structures and professional regulation intersect with everyday midwifery practice: fitness‑to‑practise pressures, legal threats, data protection claims, and the importance of asserting rights, due process and proper jurisdiction. We finish with practical encouragement for midwives to keep learning and supporting one another, and for mothers and fathers to organise, document, and seek appropriate legal and human‑rights avenues when harm is alleged.'Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)': https://www.nmc.org.uk/'Care Quality Commission (CQC)': https://www.cqc.org.uk/'Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust – Maternity': https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/maternity'Donna Ockenden – Nottingham Maternity Review (official site)': https://www.donnaockenden.com/nottingham-review/'Independent Investigation into the Death of Elizabeth Dixon (UK Government publication)': https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-investigation-into-the-death-of-elizabeth-dixon'Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT)': https://www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk/'Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital (Dublin)': https://www.coombe.ie/'Horton General Hospital, Banbury (Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)': https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/hospitals/horton/'European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)': https://www.echr.coe.int/'Geneva Conventions – International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)': https://www.icrc.org/en/war-and-law/treaties-customary-law/geneva-conventions'United Nations Human Rights (OHCHR)': https://www.ohchr.org/'Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)': https://www.sra.org.uk/'Bevan Brittan LLP': https://www.bevanbrittan.com/'HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)': https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service'Royal College of Midwives (RCM)': https://www.rcm.org.uk/'NHS England': https://www.nhs.uk/'Herald Scotland (news outlet referenced)': https://www.heraldscotland.com/

In tonight’s programme, I open with a roundup of the week’s major maternity stories and why they matter now, not just when they trend. We look at the PSA’s finding that the Nursing and Midwifery Council met 9 of 18 regulatory standards and the resulting escalation to Parliament, fresh investigations and reporting on the UK maternity crisis, and cases in Scotland and Gloucestershire that lay bare how culture, staffing and decision‑making shape outcomes. I also flag the approaching Ockenden outputs and what they could mean for families and staff. My guest is my husband, Reese, who speaks candidly about witnessing my induction and labour as a first‑time dad, the shock of poor communication, and the aftermath of trauma at home. Together we unpack what “whistleblowing” really looks like in practice, the toll it takes on families, and practical ways staff and parents can protect themselves and their evidence—from contemporaneous notes to statements of truth—while keeping compassion at the centre.'Nursing & Midwifery Council: 2025 PSA review summary (9 of 18 standards)': https://www.nmc.org.uk/news/news-and-updates/new-nmc-accelerates-change-and-improvement-five-months-on-from-2024/25-psa-performance-review/'Professional Standards Authority: NMC performance escalation letter (PDF)': https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/NMC%20Performance%20Review%202023-24%20Escalation%20letter%20to%20Vice%20Chair%20Health%20%26%20Social%20Care%20Select%20Committee.pdf'Sky News investigation: Behind Closed Doors – Inside the UK’s maternity crisis': https://news.sky.com/video/behind-closed-doors-inside-the-uk-s-maternity-crisis-full-investigation-13548545'University Hospital Crosshouse/Ayrshire Maternity Unit (service information)': https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/pregnancy-and-childbirth/losing-a-baby/early-pregnancy-units-epu/'STV News: Ayrshire mum raises concerns after baby Belle’s death': https://news.stv.tv/west-central/ayrshire-mum-blames-hospital-for-causing-brain-injury-which-resulted-in-babys-death'BBC Panorama focus on NUH maternity (Trust response)': https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/nuh-responds-to-bbc-panorama'Ockenden Review – official site (Nottingham independent review)': https://www.ockendenmaternityreview.org.uk/'Final Ockenden Report (Shrewsbury & Telford) – GOV.UK': https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-report-of-the-ockenden-review'Gloucestershire: suspension of home birth services (context)': https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/cq83g7l2v7jo'NHS Employers: Raising Concerns (whistleblowing) resources': https://www.nhsemployers.org/people/raising-concerns'NHS Scotland: How to raise whistleblowing concerns': https://workforce.nhs.scot/supporting-documents/guide/whistleblowing-policy-how-to-raise-whistleblowing-concerns/'Regulatory Justice Foundation (support for professionals under investigation)': https://www.theregulatoryjusticefoundation.org.uk/'Compassion in Care (Eileen Chubb)': https://compassionincare.com/'The Whistler (whistleblowing support and advocacy)': https://www.thewhistler.org/'The life and death of Elizabeth Dixon – investigation report (GOV.UK)': https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-life-and-death-of-elizabeth-dixon-a-catalyst-for-change'Sky News: Inside a labour ward – current context piece': https://news.sky.com/story/maternity-care-latest-sky-news-goes-inside-a-labour-ward-on-the-up-13548084'Civil Procedure Rules: Practice Direction 22 – Statements of Truth': https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part22/pd_part22'General Medical Council (regulator of UK doctors)': https://www.gmc-uk.org'Royal College of Midwives (professional body and union)': https://rcm.org.uk/'Bevan Brittan LLP (health and public sector law)': https://www.bevanbrittan.com/'DAC Beachcroft (health and insurance law)': https://www.dacbeachcroft.com/'The People’s Lawyer UK (know‑your‑rights resources)': https://thepeopleslawyeruk.com/

This week's show from Victoria.

In this candid solo episode, I take you onto a UK maternity ward and into the minute‑by‑minute reality of coordinating care as an NHS midwife: the bed pressures, relentless alarms, conflicting priorities, documentation demands and the impossible trade‑offs that leave women, babies and staff short‑changed. I share a first‑person ‘day in the life’ simulation drawn from my own experience and the testimonies of midwives and maternity care assistants across the country, to show how policy, staffing and fear of litigation can crowd out the art of midwifery and compassionate, continuous support.After the break, I’m joined by Diane, a Northern Irish‑trained nurse and midwife now running a midwife‑led service in Uganda. She contrasts an observation‑led, hands‑on model of normal birth with our increasingly task‑driven system, and reflects on consent, induction, caesarean rates and building trust with women. Together we explore what must change—practically and culturally—so care becomes safer, kinder and truly “with woman” again.'NHS: Pregnancy (services, care and choices)': https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/'NHS: Monitoring your baby's heartbeat in labour (CTG and alternatives)': https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/monitoring-your-babys-heartbeat/'NHS: Induction of labour': https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/induction/induction-of-labour/'NHS: Caesarean section': https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/'NHS: Pre‑eclampsia': https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/'Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code': https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/'Royal College of Midwives (RCM)': https://www.rcm.org.uk/'United Nations: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development': https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

In this first episode on Food for Thought radio, Victoria shares her journey from NHS midwife to maternity campaigner. Drawing on two decades of motherhood across four births and seven years on the wards (2017–2024), Victoria speaks candidly about burnout, fear-driven practice, and why she left registration to advocate for women’s choices, community support, and physiological birth. We explore the collapse of local, woman‑centred networks, the impact of policy‑led care, rising intervention rates, and the emotional costs families carry when their experiences aren’t heard. We also touch on major maternity inquiries and what their recurring themes reveal: poor teamwork, failures to escalate, weak investigations, and a lack of openness. Retired midwife Tess Lovely joins briefly to underline how loving, continuous care can transform long or latent labours. Throughout, Victoria calls for practical steps families can take to reclaim confidence, rebuild community, and navigate a system that too often mistakes activity for safety.'NHS England': https://www.england.nhs.uk'Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK)': https://www.nmc.org.uk'Office for National Statistics (UK)': https://www.ons.gov.uk'Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (maternity inquiries context)': https://www.sath.nhs.uk'University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (Morecambe Bay context)': https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk'East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (East Kent review context)': https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk'NHS Highland (Caithness region services context)': https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk'One Born Every Minute (Channel 4)': https://www.channel4.com/programmes/one-born-every-minuteFood For Thought Radio at https://fftradio.com