Ockendon 2026 report at a glance: Nottingham baby deaths and ‘bullying, toxic culture’

The review team described a “bullying and toxic culture” at the trust over the years, with some members of staff cited as having “created distinctly and consistently recognized but unchallenged horror cliques”.

There was a belief among the “Nottingham Road” and “Clan” groups of workers.

Leadership instability was a “major contributor” to the quality and safety of maternity services, the review found.

In the year Between 2017 and 2021, there was “continuous turnover in senior maternity leadership positions” and high stakes.

“Bad behavior and toxic culture were common, people didn’t even know it. There were entrenched ways of behaving[in the working class that were cruel to women],” said one worker.

Employees also reported a “culture of corporate denial” over the years.

Ockenden added: “The evidence shows that a toxic culture was allowed to exist at Nottingham. Testimonies from both family and staff revealed that a small number of powerful leaders contaminated the unit, creating an environment where bullying was normalised, speaking up was dangerous and management was shaped by self-preservation rather than patient safety.