Testimonials

I think you’ve done a remarkable job to have lead this review.

Mr W, Feb 2022

Hello Donna,

I just wanted to say a big thank you for all the work that you have put into the Maternity Review in Telford and Shrewsbury.  Due to the positive outcome of our pregnancy I never expected to be added to the review but felt that I should pass on what we had experienced. I felt and still feel that our experiences were significantly less devastating than all the other stories I have read, yet when you met us, and then me on my own, I felt like our story was important to you and felt nothing but empathy from you.

I do not know how you had the fortitude to complete your task, and cannot imagine how much time you’ve dedicated to it.  I find it almost impossible to read the stories of the families who were part of this review and feel nothing but gratitude that there are people in this world like yourself, who can listen to and empathise with every story, in order to ensure that they end up being heard by the wider public and the relevant authorities.  I will forever be indebted to you and the brave families who came forward, as your work impacted on me and led to me ensuring our care was transferred to Birmingham, and I don’t think that I’d have my incredible twins had your investigation not been in progress at the time.

The twins are simply amazing and bring a smile to my face every day.  We are still waiting for the meeting with the hospital which was offered to us 11 months ago now.  I am constantly pushing and will be a thorn in their side until they sit down with us.

I have seen a lot written about families in Nottingham wanting you to head their investigation.  While I understand their feelings I feel that this, and the media coverage afforded to it, is unfair on you.  You have done so much to help so many people in the last 5 years, and put yourself through far more than any person should have to go through.  To me you are simply an amazing and wonderful person for doing what you have done.  I hope that you are able to take some time for yourself and recover from this ordeal, and hope that you can ignore the requests for you to do more.  I also feel that the actions that come from the report are very much out of your hands and we have to hope that they are fully implemented, but I want you to know that even if things don’t go the way you and others hope, then there are at least two little toddlers who owe their lives to the work you put in.

January 2024

To Donna and your fantastic team, thank you so much for all your hard work, I will be forever grateful.

Mrs S, August 2022

I wanted to write again to express my thanks to you all for your work on the maternity review. 

It has helped our family to look back, reflect and think again about our experiences when our twins were born in Shrewsbury.

Interacting with the review has led to long held guilt shifting off my shoulders.

My thanks to you and to the families whose campaigning and participation made this review possible. 

Best wishes,

Mrs P, July 2022

Dear Donna Ockenden and Team

I would like to express my thanks, my mother’s and my siblings, for the exceptional work you have all done over the last few years.

You have shown such dedication and compassion throughout what must have been, at times, a harrowing experience listening to bereaved parents and families.

 I hope you receive support as compassionate as has been shown to us.

Once again a huge thanks to you all

Mrs D, July 2022

Dear Donna,

I follow you on twitter and I just wanted to thank you for your time, care and effort in the Ockenden review and report.
Your report was used as references and safety highlights in our HSIB report into the death of our son XXXXX and my wife’s care

Thank you again for all your work giving these families a voice and to be able to feel seen and heard. knowing people like yourself are doing fabulous work into safer maternity is a huge help and support.

With all good wishes and thanks,

Mrs C, May 2022

Donna, how can we ever thank you enough. You have created such an opportunity for positive change. Thank you.

Mr and Mrs S-D, March 2022

To Donna, 

We cannot express our thanks and gratitude in words, but your reports will change the maternity service forever.

Mr and Mrs G, March 2022

Thank you so much for everything! 

Your compassion and kindness throughout the review has made it a lot easier to be patient ourselves. 

We admire your strength whilst doing the review, a job we wouldn’t wish on anyone. It can’t have been easy at times. 

Thank you again. 

Mr and Mrs R, March 2022

Listening to you give the report, I was very impressed with your review. I understood everything you said and would like to thank you. I felt your compassion and kindness for the families. 

Mrs J, March 2022

Dear Donna – thank you for the work you have undertaken on behalf of the families who have suffered so dreadfully. I hope the brave report you have produced will bring about changes and that you personally will gain comfort from this. I am thinking of you.

Ms S, March 2022

I did watch your online meeting this morning, thank you very much to yourself and your team for all your hard work, I can’t imagine it was easy. 

Thank you, 

Mrs H, March 2022

Thank you for all you have done and for all your hard work up here in Shropshire. 

Mrs C, March 2022

I would like to thank every member of the team involved in this report. You have my gratitude, thanks and respect. 

Mrs K, March 2002

I want you ALL to know that I am truly grateful for listening to my personal story from 1987 when the truth was hidden from me.  

You have been part of such an important, vital investigation I hope you all understand how much this is appreciated.

The report was powerful, straight to the point, blunt, direct and held nothing back.

THANK YOU. 

You have my continued support for difficult job.

Much love to every one of the team.

Mrs S, March 2022

Dear Donna, Thank you for your report. You have shown such commitment, integrity and empathy for all of us during this time. You are truly on our side!

Mrs J, March 2022

Hello Donna and team. 

Firstly I can’t thank you enough for all the tireless work you have put into investigating the baby deaths at Shrewsbury hospital and the shocking information you have uncovered. I think I speak for all the mothers and fathers affected, there was sadness yesterday, but also some closure that those responsible are being held accountable and our children can finally rest in peace. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. 

Mrs S, March 2022

I thought was handled with as always care and compassion – so thank you to everyone involved.

Mrs D-L, March 2022

My thanks to Donna and the whole team for the tremendous work you do.

Mrs M, March 2022

Thank you with all my heart from me and my little boys for doing such an outstanding job and recommendations for New Cross hospital, I am eternally grateful to you  

Ms C, March 2022

Dear Donna and team

I am writing to express my profound and heartfelt thanks for the devoted work and attention you have given to uncovering the dire failings at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. 

I wish you all the best and thank you again for all you have done to date. 

Ms W, March 2022

Hello Donna and Team

Thank you for everything you have all done on our behalf.  

It is brilliant that the report has been published, that it covers so many important issues, that there has been so much publicity about the dreadful happenings and people are now more aware of what happened in Shrewsbury and Telford, and that now more of the Actions can be put in place. 

With best wishes 

Mrs B, March 2022

I would like to say thank you to both you and your team for such a thorough investigation and review.

 – Mrs U

I have just listened to your zoom webinar, thank you for providing me with opportunity to listen to the preliminary findings ahead of publication of your report. Thank you also so much for the tremendous work that you and your team have been doing. 

Again, thank you sincerely for all that you are doing.

 – Mrs R

I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work that you and your team have put into the investigation/ review so far and for such a sincere first report today. 

Donna you are an amazing speaker and are so compassionate and sincere. We are so grateful for all the measures that are due to be implemented in the future to support other families. THANK YOU

– Mrs S

I have just listened into the webinar this morning and firstly wanted to say how grateful we are for the efforts your team are making on our behalf, working so hard to bring about change at the maternity services in Shrewsbury and Telford. I appreciate too that the number of cases being considered makes a personal response to each question raised very difficult. 

Many thanks again for all you are doing.

 – Mrs W