The NHS is largely funded by public money paid for through taxes and national insurance. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was given a record £1.6m fine over maternity failings in connection with the deaths of three babies. The trust pleaded guilty to six counts of failing to provide safe care and treatment to the babies and their mothers. The fine was handed down at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, with the judge considering other court judgements and guidelines for comparable offences. The trust’s annual budget is £1.8bn, and the fine will have an impact on services. The families affected by the trust’s maternity failings have consistently called for accountability, with some saying that the fine is not enough and that individuals should be held accountable. The fine is paid to HM Treasury, and the trust was also told to cover prosecution costs of £67,755.23 and a victim surcharge of £190. The trust has paid out tens of millions of pounds in damages for civil claims in relation to maternity care. Nottinghamshire Police’s investigation into the trust’s maternity services has seen more than 200 family cases referred to it, and a separate maternity review by senior midwife Donna Ockenden is currently examining the testimony of more than 2,000 cases. The review began in September 2022 and closed to new cases at the end of May, with the final report of findings due to be published in June 2026. The trust has announced plans to cut at least 430 jobs in an attempt to save £97m in the next year.
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