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Streeting Seeks NHS England Investigation Into Oxford Maternity Failings and OxGrip

Ministers say any departure from national guidance must be justified by better outcomes.

Overview

  • Baroness Amos’s rapid review team is in Oxford today for a two-day visit under the national maternity and neonatal investigation.
  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting called the revelations "scandalous" and asked NHS England to scrutinize OxGrip’s rationale, monitoring and impact on resources beyond the rapid review’s remit.
  • OxGrip, introduced in 2016, adds a routine 36‑week scan not recommended by NICE, with allegations that the extra workload denied scans to some high‑risk patients.
  • Oxford University Hospitals issued an apology, acknowledged further work is needed, and highlighted steps such as hiring 54 midwives, improving clinical training, strengthening leadership and enhancing bereavement services.
  • Reported incidents include a baby wrongly declared stillborn and claims of obstructive responses to campaigners, with the trust saying it had no role in a consultant’s legal letter and no knowledge of a covert recording at the time.