“You’ve been a total joy to work with, albeit often on less than joyful matters. Always positive, committed and so very kind, it’s been a source of pleasure – and great pride – that I’ve got to work with you at close quarters and see the impact you have on people when they need support the most. Please keep doing your great work”
Colleague, Dec 2024
“Your kindness is invaluable…thank you so very much for all that you do for us, we are so very grateful”
October 2024
“As always, thank you so much for all your help, patience, support and kind words.”
Mrs W
“I thank you again for taking the time out to help me and my family, to bring the full scale of events to account and it means a great deal that you are there for us.”
Mrs S
“Keep up the excellent work.”
Mrs M
Thanks again for taking part in our maternity event on Wednesday! It was really well executed from start to finish and answered a great range of questions with brilliant insights from all of the speakers.
Just a quick note to say thank you so much for being on the panel. It was a brilliant session that covered all of the bases it needed to in the short space of time. It was thoroughly informative and engaging from start to finish.
I want you to know what an extraordinary influence you’ve had…My commitment to meaningful quality improvement… my understanding of leadership and communication based on your example, and my self-confidence in my capability.
Your incredible professionalism, care and public speaking skills put us at ease immediately and I’ve watched in awe as you deliver the same to patients and colleagues alike on the NUH review and in the public eye.
Colleague, July 2024
Thanks so much for sorting out Donna to talk to me, I thought she was brilliant.
Ms C, BBC Radio Shropshire, June 2024
You have my vote to lead the commission you would be fabulous.
Ms R, Director of Midwifery, May 2024
You have my vote to lead the commission you would be fabulous.
Ms R, May 2024
Huge thanks again for joining us at yesterday’s event.
The room was buzzing, in no small part due to your inspirational talk at the start of the day, thank you so much. Thanks for staying on for questions and for talking around the tables too.
The evaluation feedback at the end of the day was wonderful, with delegates citing your talk.
Really hoping we can use this momentum to drive forward more structural changes in bereavement care across England and the UK more widely.
Look forward to continued work with you.
Mr H, Charity Representative, March 2024
I contacted you as you managed to bring about so much significant change in maternity by having a no nonsense approach to highlighting failings.
Ms R, Feb 2024
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.
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.
To me you are simply an amazing and wonderful person for doing what you have done.
January 2024
Just a quick note to say a massive thank you for allowing me to be part of this review. It’s a real privilege to do this.
Colleague, December 2023
Lovely to meet you in person today, I found it an informative, inspiring and motivating morning.
Your presentation was impactful and provided hope and opportunity for change.
Ms S, October 2023
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Donna for the video. It will be a great summary and update for those attending our regional training day. In particular, the answers to the submitted questions are incredibly insightful and will generate a fabulous discussion about the culture and behaviours we foster.
Mr H, May 2023
It was so lovely to meet you again today. After being a midwife for over 25 years and 20 of those in bereavement it is so heart warming to hear you speak, see your passion and lift the room with your words, you truly are an inspiration and true advocate for bereaved families and their precious babies something we all hold close to our hearts in the room today.
Ms B, March 2023
It was great to hear from you earlier today & I have taken much inspiration from you words. I absolutely agree that we have an unique opportunity to lift our maternity services & change the narrative for both staff & our patients.
Ms R, Student Midwife, October 2022
Thank you very much for your help…last Tuesday. We much appreciate your effort and time, and the feedback we have received so far has been excellent.
Ms A, October 2022
You are doing an amazing job.
Ms D, Senior Midwife, October 2022
Thank you very much for your help…last Tuesday. We much appreciate your effort and time, and the feedback we have received so far has been excellent.
Ms A, October 2022
It was great to hear from you earlier today & I have taken much inspiration from you words. I absolutely agree that we have a unique opportunity to lift our maternity services & change the narrative for both staff & our patients.
Ms R, Student Midwife, October 2022
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