Bereaved Leeds mothers face 'uncertainty' and 'fear' over maternity inquiry after Wes Streeting resignation
Mr Streeting has met with families over the years and helped ensure that an independent review would be carried out
Bereaved families in Leeds said that the resignation of the Health Secretary Wes Streeting “brings a lot of uncertainty” at a “hugely important time” in their fight for justice.
For years families in Leeds have been campaigning and calling for an inquiry into “gross failures of the most basic nature” on the maternity wards in the city that led to the deaths of dozens of babies.
The Leeds Maternity Families Group was set up and worked directly with Mr Streeting to ensure that an independent review would be carried out and that their chosen pick to chair it would be appointed.
However, they have said that Mr Streeting’s decision to resign has brought ”fear” that momentum “could be disrupted”.
Full statement
The full statement from the Leeds Maternity Families Group reads: “The news of Wes Streeting’s resignation comes at a hugely important time for bereaved and harmed families in Leeds, following years of campaigning which finally led to the announcement of an independent maternity review led by Donna Ockenden.
“Bereaved and harmed families in Leeds have spent years telling their stories to Wes Streeting, collating research and repeatedly explaining why an independent review was necessary to achieve accountability and improve maternity care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
“His decision to step down brings a lot of uncertainty. Families in Leeds would hope that commitments to maternity safety made by Wes Streeting, become a priority for the newly appointed Health Secretary. The independent review in Leeds is an important step forward, but there are still families across the country who are waiting for answers.
“Families in Leeds and beyond now have concerns about how a new Secretary of State would fully grasp the severity of the issues that have been directly raised with Wes Streeting.
“There is a fear that the momentum that led to the Leeds review could be disrupted, and whether families will once again have to spend months rebuilding relationships, and re-living traumatic experiences.
“The focus of current and future leadership should be on listening to voices of harmed and bereaved families, at a time when there is still so much work to be done to make maternity services across the country safe.”
Mr Streeting’s office has been contacted for a response.
In his resignation letter, Mr Streeting criticised the “drift” at the top of Government and told the Prime Minister it is “clear” he will not lead Labour into the next election.
He blamed the “unprecedented” election results in part on “the unpopularity of this Government”, adding: “There are many reasons we could point to: from individual mistakes on policy like the decision to cut the winter fuel allowance to the ‘island of strangers’ speech, all of which have left the country not knowing who we are or what we really stand for.”