Victoria RixonEducation
Helen shares trauma after the maternity investigation

Episode Summary

Tonight I used my slot on Food for Thought Radio to speak candidly about why I launched a people’s tribunal into UK maternity services and why I still believe something grassroots, transparent and led by families is urgently needed. I reflected on my own journey through NHS midwifery, whistleblowing, grievance processes and the personal fallout that followed, including how those experiences shaped my determination to keep shining a light on maternity safety, staffing, culture, governance and the way women’s voices can be lost inside large systems.I was then joined by powerful callers who shared deeply personal accounts of birth trauma, harm, investigations and years of unanswered questions. Together we discussed the Scottish independent maternity review, the legacy of the Ockenden, Amos and Bill Kirkup investigations, and the need for families and frontline staff to be properly heard rather than managed. Above all, this episode was about truth-telling, solidarity and the conviction that women, babies and NHS staff deserve far better.Food For Thought Radio: https://www.fftradio.com/The Victoria Rixon Show on FFT Schedule: https://www.fftradio.com/schedule/NHS website for England: https://www.nhs.uk/NHS England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/Derriford Hospital: https://www.nhs.uk/services/hospital/derriford-hospital/X921Lister Hospital: https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/hospitals/lister/Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust: https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/Great Ormond Street Hospital: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/Frimley Park Hospital: https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/locations/frimley-park-hospitalThe Nursing and Midwifery Council: https://www.nmc.org.uk/Royal College of Midwives: https://rcm.org.uk/Dr David Cartland: https://www.drdavidcartland.com/about-daveIshbel Straker and the NMC: https://www.ishbel-straker-and-the-nmc.co.uk/Angela Constance MSP: https://www.parliament.scot/home/msps/current-and-previous-msps/angela-constanceProfessor Christine McCourt: https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/about/people/academics/christine-mccourtScottish Government Independent Review to Improve Maternity Care: https://www.gov.scot/news/independent-review-to-improve-maternity-care/Maternity Services Independent Review Principles (Scotland): https://www.gov.scot/publications/maternity-services-independent-review-principles/Ockenden Maternity Review Official Website:
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