The Terms of Reference have been published for the Independent Review into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, which will be chaired by Donna Ockenden.
This document sets out the objectives of the review, the eight categories of severe harm or death that the review will look at, and the timescales of the review.
The review will consider maternity and neonatal care from 1 January 2011 up to and including 31 March 2028, including where mothers and babies have suffered severe harm or death while under the care of LTHT.
The Terms of Reference have been developed with the close involvement of affected Leeds families. The final report will be published in 2029.
The Trust welcomes the publication of the Terms of Reference for the Independent Review and remains committed to working openly and transparently with the Review Team.
We recognise nothing can undo the trauma for families whose babies have been harmed or have died while receiving care in our hospitals. We are deeply sorry to those families, and we hope this review will provide them with the answers they deserve.
We would also like to reassure families in Leeds who will be using our services currently, that significant improvements are already underway in our maternity and neonatal services, following reviews by the Care Quality Commission and NHS England.
We know there is more to do, and we will continue to improve our services as we strive to ensure that every family receives safe, compassionate, inclusive, and high-quality care.
If you are a family with concerns about your current care, please ask to speak to your midwife, or the Matron, Team Leader or Ward Manager for the area you are currently in, or where you are receiving care. If you wish to raise concerns about your care and share any feedback with us, you can also do this by emailing [email protected]
If you have any further questions about the independent review, you can contact the Independent Review Team directly by emailing [email protected] or call 01243 786993.
Background to the review
On 20 October 2025, the government announced an independent review into maternity and neonatal services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Following engagement with affected families, Donna Ockenden was appointed as independent chair of the review on 10 March 2026.
You can read the Government’s announcement about the appointment of Donna Ockenden, and more details about the review, here.
We will keep you updated on this review when further details are available.
FAQs for families using our maternity and neonatal services