AIMS Éire Statement on the Ockenden Nottingham Maternity Review

24th June 2026 - For immediate Release

AIMS Éire extends its deepest sympathies to the women, babies, families and communities affected by the failures identified in the Nottingham Maternity Review. We pay particular tribute to the parents whose determination, courage and persistence ensured that these experiences could not be ignored and whose advocacy has helped bring about this landmark investigation.

Speaking today AIMS Éire Co Chair Krysia Lynch stated "The findings are shocking, but many of the themes identified in the report are sadly familiar to maternity service users around the world. "

"The review highlights the devastating consequences of failing to listen to women, dismissing concerns raised by families, and allowing organisational culture to overrule accountability and learning."

Lynch concluded "For AIMS Éire, the central lesson from Nottingham is clear: women and birthing people must be recognised as experts in their own experiences and as equal partners in their care. When women report that something is wrong, they must be heard. When families raise concerns, they must be taken seriously. Respectful, person-centred maternity care is not an optional extra, it is a fundamental component of safety."

The report also reinforces the importance of transparency, informed consent, continuity of care, adequate staffing, and robust systems for responding to adverse events. Safety cannot be achieved through clinical governance alone. It depends upon a culture that values listening, openness, respect, and genuine partnership with service users.

In Ireland, the findings should prompt reflection across our maternity services. While there have been important developments in recent years, families continue to report concerns about communication, informed decision-making, access to evidence-based care, and the ability to have their voices heard when things go wrong. The experiences documented in Nottingham underline the need for ongoing vigilance and a sustained commitment to service-user involvement at every level of maternity care planning, delivery and evaluation.

We urge maternity service leaders, policymakers and regulators in Ireland to engage closely with the findings of the Nottingham review and to consider how its lessons can strengthen safety, accountability and respect within our own services. We also call for meaningful inclusion of women, parents and independent service-user representatives in all discussions about maternity care reform.

AIMS Éire stands in solidarity with the affected families and supports their calls for accountability, transparency and learning. Every woman, every baby and every family deserves maternity care that is safe, respectful, compassionate and centred on their needs and rights.

ENDS

About AIMS Eire

AIMS Eire (made up of former Chairs, Directors, Treasurers and Secretaries of AIMS Ireland) is a national advocacy organisation dedicated to advancing and protecting maternity rights in Ireland. The organisation works to ensure that all women and families receive safe, respectful, evidence-based and person-centred maternity care throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

Through advocacy, research, public awareness campaigns and engagement with policymakers, healthcare providers and stakeholders, AIMS Eire champions informed choice, consent, dignity and equity in maternity services. The organisation amplifies the voices and experiences of service users to drive meaningful improvements in maternity care and support positive outcomes for women, babies and families.

AIMS Eire is committed to promoting a maternity system that respects human rights, supports informed decision-making and places the needs of women and families at its centre.

For media enquiries, please contact Krysia Lynch or Maria O Sullivan at aimseire@gmail.com