Leeds maternity review chair raised concerns over Trust's social media content
The chair of the independent review into maternity services in Leeds said she had spoken directly to the Trust's chief executive about its social media communications
The woman leading the independent review into maternity and neonatal services in Leeds has revealed she raised concerns directly with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) about the tone of its social media content.
Donna Ockenden, who will chair the review of maternity and neonatal services at the Trust, said she had spoken to the Trust’s chief executive about the issue and urged LTHT to reflect on its communications approach.
Her comments come after the Trust apologised and removed a Facebook post praising maternity care that sparked criticism from bereaved parents, who said concerns surrounding maternity services had been reduced to “negativity”.
In a statement, Ms Ockenden said: “Whilst the Review is still in the process of finalising the Terms of Reference with families before we are able to commence reviewing family cases, the Review Team have now met with the Trust and can escalate any concerns that arise in the meantime.
“I have recently raised my concerns with the Chief Executive of the Trust about the tone of their social media content.
“Effective and compassionate communication is a key element to safe maternity and neonatal care, whether it takes place before, during, or after a pregnancy, birth, or death. It should be trauma-informed, sensitive to the current maternity and neonatal landscape, and informative.
“It is my sincere hope that the Trust is able to reflect on its communications approach and, in issuing apologies, that it is better able to signpost families to the appropriate support that they may require.”
The comments follow backlash over a post shared on the Leeds Maternity E-Midwife Facebook page, which featured a mother’s positive account of giving birth at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) earlier this year.
The post included the sentence: “There is a lot of negativity around the Trust at the moment, so I really wanted to share how truly positive and empowering I found my birth at the LGI.”
Bereaved parents criticised the wording, arguing that serious concerns raised by harmed and bereaved families should not be characterised as “negativity”.
The Trust later removed the post and issued an apology.
Responding to the criticism, LTHT Chief Executive Brendan Brown said the Trust had been wrong to publish the post in the form in which it appeared and apologised for the distress caused to families.
An independent review of maternity and neonatal services at LTHT, chaired by Ms Ockenden, is expected to begin later this year following years of concerns raised by families about maternity care in Leeds.