Introduction to the Scandal
Employees who work for an NHS trust affected by a scandal allegedly took "heartless" criticisms of families who are involved in the largest maternity check and claims that they take part so that they can strive for compensation. The review began three years ago after allegations of damage to babies and mothers and now comprises almost 2,500 families.
The Alleged Comments
Anthony May, Managing Director of the Trust, described the alleged employees’ comments as "shocking". At the annual conference of the Trust, Mr. May said: "Some families recently returned me to shocking examples of stigmatization or gas – criticized that they are either part of the independent review or to fight better services. Families have heard that they are criticized that they are in the review and that they are in the review because they strive for compensation."
Families’ Reactions
Dr. Jack and Sarah Hawkins, both of whom worked for the trust until their daughter Harriet was born dead in 2016, have fought against failures since then. They described the comments as "terrible" and "unfathomable heartless". Dr. Hawkins said: "We were called ‘Compo seekers’. There was a comment that the people in this group are because they have been cared for by Sarah and me and other people who have been there for a long time, and that came out of the trust. We want change. We have no other reason to be in this fight."
Call for Disciplinary Measures
Dr. and Ms. Hawkins said they "absolutely" believe that there should be disciplinary measures against employees who made the comments. Ms. Hawkins said: "Life could not get worse … and then they said that about us and we just feel like this complete, complete monster." The trust is also examined in their hospitals for potential crimes of the company for death in connection with maternity services.
Response from the Trust
Mr. May said he wrote an email to every Trust employee to explain that the comments are "not acceptable". He said: "I can’t attribute it to a person, and the families not to be fair for them, and it could be on social media that they could hear it when they are on the go. No matter where you hear it or where it comes from, it has to stop. It is absolutely shocking." The vast majority of people who work in trust would never dream of doing this, but if this is the case, there are processes with which we can handle it. More than 850 employees of the trust have become independent review of maternity provision.
