The communications director for Nottingham University Hospitals has issued a public apology after bereaved parents involved in the ongoing review into maternity care were blocked on Twitter. The parents had questioned why they had been blocked on the social media platform.
Tiffany Jones, the director of communications and engagement at the hospital trust which runs the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, blocked a number of bereaved parents which prompted concern and confusion. Nottinghamshire Live contacted Ms Jones, and shortly afterwards a swift apology was made on Twitter.
Kim Errington, the mother to baby Edward Charles Errington Rozkalns (Teddy), was one of parents who had been blocked. In her case a coroner found there were "undoubtedly" systematic failings in the care of Teddy who died less than 48 hours after being born.
Read more: Nottingham maternity review hope as Donna Ockenden meets families for first time
Speaking of the apology she said: "There are avoidable reoccurring themes in both the poor care we families have received as well as the responses and attitudes of those senior staff at Nottingham Hospitals.
"Our babies can not be brought back," she said, but added their lives now can be made more bearable if "a human approach" is taken.
Jack and Sarah Hawkins lost their first-born, baby Harriet, due to a host of failures at NUH. They too questioned whether the act was demonstrating openness and honesty, having also been blocked themselves.
Ms Jones's Twitter profile states her position and the trust in which she works. In the apology she says: "I apologise wholeheartedly for the upset my decision to block some individuals from my personal Twitter account may have unintentionally caused.
"I have reflected and made the decision to delete my Twitter account."
A spokesman for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust added: “We offer our sincere apologies for the undue upset caused. We know the devastation caused to families when we have not delivered the best care in our maternity service and we are committed to engaging with and listening to families in order to make the necessary improvements.”
It comes shortly after Donna Ockenden was appointed in May this year to spearhead an inquiry into the maternity services at Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital. It was launched after more than 100 families with experiences of maternity failings wrote to former Health Secretary Sajid Javid demanding the action.
A much-criticised initial review was scrapped. Ms Ockenden, who uncovered 200 avoidable baby deaths at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust across two decades, said the review is now open to families, NHS workers and others who wish to contribute.
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