Families believe improvements at Leeds could benefit other hospitals and stress the importance of experienced leadership to conduct a thorough review.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting ordered this urgent investigation after being shocked by families' stories and the hospital's poor safety record, despite its status as a major teaching hospital.

The inquiry aims to address systemic issues such as ignored women's voices, overlooked safety concerns, toxic leadership, and a culture of blame, which have contributed to preventable tragedies.

An independent inquiry has been launched into maternity services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust following distressing accounts from families who faced failures, misconduct, and being gaslit or blamed for their babies' deaths.

Families are calling for police involvement early in the process, especially to investigate potential corporate misconduct amid systemic failings.

Families have expressed frustration over cover-ups, defensive leadership, and lack of honesty, emphasizing the need for accountability and systemic change.

Families and campaign groups hope the inquiry will lead to accountability, learning, and improvements, with some emphasizing Donna Ockenden's leadership to ensure a thorough and compassionate investigation.

Relieved families, including those of babies who died or suffered injuries, see the inquiry as a chance to uncover causes, ensure accountability, and improve safety standards.

Families are calling for Donna Ockenden to lead the investigation and are considering police involvement to examine potential corporate issues.

Leeds Hospital's Chief Executive Brendan Brown apologized for past failures, committed to transparency, and outlined ongoing efforts to improve safety and care quality, acknowledging more work is needed.

This investigation is part of a broader national review led by Baroness Amos into 14 NHS trusts, focusing on systemic failings like ignored voices, safety concerns, poor leadership, and toxic cultures.

The review aims to scrutinize systemic issues across NHS maternity services, with Leeds among the trusts examined, to address preventable deaths and unsafe practices.

The trust was downgraded to 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission in June due to risks to women and babies, with whistleblowers warning that some preventable deaths may have occurred between 2019 and 2024.