Nottingham’s Forgotten Children: Support After the Ockenden Review

The Ockenden Review examined over 2,500 family cases involving maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust between 2012 and 2025. Among its findings were 105 identified babies who suffered potentially avoidable severe brain injuries, and nine recognised children who developed cerebral palsy where improved care could have led to a different outcome.

Behind the statistics are families whose lives changed in many ways. For some, the outcome was the loss of a baby or a mother. These deaths must remain central to any understanding of the Review.

However, there are also children who survived serious brain injury at birth. For these families, leaving the hospital didn’t mean their experiences were complete. Going from hospital to home can be the start of many challenges, from recognising developmental changes to achieving educational milestones later.

Brain Injury at Birth: Challenges After Leaving Hospital

For families of children who survive a brain injury during birth, whether that be hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) or an intracranial haemorrhage, the move home can bring a new and unfamiliar stage of care. The weeks, months and years after discharge will likely involve evolving attempts to understand what a child needs next.

This period can mark the start of rehabilitation, developmental support, educational challenges, and difficult questions about what took place in the hospital if parents or carers weren’t given a prognosis for their child.

A New Environment

Going home after discharge means a new environment for a child who went through brain injury at birth, and a new support network.

While parents and their babies are surrounded by professionals in the hospital, providing somewhat of a safety net, going home can reduce this perceived safety – even if the quality of care in the hospital didn’t meet the expected standard. This can put immense pressure on parents and carers to provide that 24/7 support.

A Child’s Development

Brain injury is not always visible, especially in babies and young children. A child might look physically healthy while facing struggles with development, communication, attention, memory or behaviour. Some problems may only become clear as a child grows and is expected to learn new skills.

Starting nursery or school can be another point when these difficulties become more obvious. New cognitive and social demands may reveal difficulties that were not seen or experienced back at home.

Navigating Multiple Support Systems

Parents may find themselves dealing with healthcare, rehabilitation, education, SEND support, equipment, care and finances – often all at once. The challenge is not only knowing that a child needs help, but also understanding what support they need, who provides it and how to access it.

Adding to these concerns, there may also be ongoing questions about what happened during a child’s birth or neonatal care – and whether those events contributed to their injury or longer-term difficulties.

Exploring whether medical negligence played a role may not feel like an immediate priority, but seeking advice early can help families understand their options and potentially access compensation for a brain injury at birth to fund the long-term support the injury may require.

Brain Injury Group has specialist solicitors in its network who can potentially explore a brain injury during birth claim.

Why Family Support Matters

The impact of a serious brain injury around birth is not limited to the child. Parents may be managing appointments and therapies while trying to understand what happened, what their child needs and what the future might hold.

For families affected by the events of the Ockenden Review, these questions may be especially challenging. That’s why specialist support for children and their families can make a real difference.

Brain Injury Group's Support in Nottingham

Brain Injury Group supports families affected by brain injury in many areas, by providing access to specialist advice across rehabilitation, care, education and legal matters (including medical negligence connected to a brain injury at birth).

As part of this support, Brain Injury Group will be hosting an upcoming event in Nottingham, bringing together people affected by brain injury and offering a chance to learn more about the support available.

The event is also an opportunity for families to connect with others who understand the long-term realities of this kind of injury: in other words, finding peer support, which is a crucial part of making life a little bit easier for parents.

Support After the Ockenden Review

The Ockenden Review has brought serious failures in maternity and neonatal care at Nottingham to wider attention. But for families affected by those failures, the need for support does not end with the publication of the Review.

Children who have survived serious brain injury at birth will have evolving needs as they grow and develop. Parents may need practical support, educational advice or help understanding their legal options.

Brain Injury Group’s Nottingham event, Ryan’s story and an upcoming podcast episode are all part of that broader conversation: giving families a chance to hear from others affected by brain injury, learn about the avenues available and consider what help they may need now.

If your family has been affected by care at Nottingham University Hospitals, or you’re looking for brain injury support for yourself or your child, get in touch to talk through your options and next steps.