Streeting says he takes Leeds maternity care inquiry concerns 'extremely seriously'

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he takes the concerns of bereaved families "extremely seriously" after acknowledging trust had been "damaged" around a promised Leeds maternity care inquiry.

He announced the investigation into Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in October, after a BBC investigation revealed that the deaths of at least 56 babies over the past five years may have been prevented.

But nobody has been appointed to chair the inquiry, leading to some families urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to intervene.

Streeting is expected to meet some of families affected by the deaths on Monday afternoon.

In a statement issued when the inquiry was announced, Leeds Teaching Hospitals said it was "taking significant steps to address improvements".

Ahead of the meeting on Monday, Streeting vowed to work with the families to rebuild confidence and ensure the inquiry would deliver "the truth they deserved".

"Losing a baby is devastating beyond words, and you deserve not just answers, but a process you can trust," he said.

"The strength and dignity these families have shown, while carrying unimaginable grief shows extraordinary courage. I am personally committed to ensuring this inquiry is thorough, independent, and puts families at its heart."

Earlier this month, five MPs penned a letter, seen by the BBC, to Downing Street, stating: "Leeds families have lost faith and confidence in the Secretary of State for Health's handling of this inquiry".

Bereaved families were concerned about the delay and the possibility of appointing a chair who used an "untested and unrefined methodology", the letter said.

It urged Sir Keir to appoint senior midwife Donna Ockenden to chair the Leeds NHS Trust investigation. She is currently leading an inquiry into Nottingham maternity services, which is examining about 2,500 cases of failings.

Ockenden has said she is "ready to chair the review into Leeds maternity services and can begin work immediately if asked."

A copy of the letter was hand-delivered to Downing Street on 11 February by families affected by the deaths. Among them were Fiona Winser-Ramm and Dan Ramm, whose daughter Aliona died in January 2020 at Leeds General Infirmary. An inquest found "a number of gross failures" that "directly contributed" to her death.

"When we've met with the secretary of state, he is often saying the right things to us," Winser-Ramm said.

"But it isn't translating into what is proposed for the inquiry by the Department of Health."