UK report uncovers 'biggest childbirth scandal' in NHS history

UK report uncovers 'biggest childbirth scandal' in NHS history Issued on: PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, June 25: UK papers discuss the Nottingham maternity care scandal. Next: is there going to be another heatwave in Europe this summer? Also: the Euclid telescope took extraordinary photos of the Milky Way. Finally, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's upcoming wedding is getting both Swifties and gamblers excited. British papers are discussing a report that has uncovered the biggest childbirth scandal in the history of the National Health Service: the Nottingham maternity care scandal. The Guardian writes that the report reviewed 2,500 cases between 2012 and 2025. The review found “deeply rooted and systemic” failures in the NHS system, sustained over many years. The report also found that women and families were consistently ignored when they raised their concerns. Women of colour and teenage mothers felt especially targeted. Chronic understaffing was another main factor. The review highlighted that significant psychological harm was caused by failings in post-death care. The Times adds that “more than 500 babies and mothers died or suffered serious harm” due to the systemic failures mentioned, and that doctors and managers could now be jailed. The board and leaders were aware of the situation but turned a blind eye for more than a decade. The Telegraph reports that parents fear that without an actual public inquiry, those who are responsible for the “biggest maternity scandal” may never be held accountable. The BBC writes that the report reveals the “shocking extent of the mistakes” that were made. Much of the harm and many of the deaths could have been avoided, but the NHS struggled to adjust to the modern era, caring more about its reputation than delivering safe healthcare. The BBC also adds that the service needs a “sustained and meaningful cultural shift”. Next: Al Jazeera compares Europe’s heatwave to temperatures normally seen across the Middle East. Paris reached 41°C on June 24, making it hotter than Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Brussels temperatures went up to 37°C – more than Cairo in Egypt. And Berlin’s temperature was 33 degrees – one degree higher than Kabul, Afghanistan. Al Jazeera writes that “climate change is making heat waves more frequent, more intense and likely to occur earlier and later in the year.” Indeed, it is not the end of high temperatures for this summer, Le Figaro reports. Although temperatures are expected to drop next week, weather agencies warned that there’s a “high probability” that starting from July 10, we will see a return of extreme heat. Turning to science news: new extraordinary photos show the centre of the Milky Way. The image quality is unprecedented for such a vast area of the sky, France Info notes. The photos were taken by the European Space Agency with the Euclid telescope. Capturing the image took 26 hours. The data will allow scientists to take a fresh look at exoplanets in the region. In more star news, Taylor Swift is getting married to Travis Kelce any day now. The LA Times says that clues point to July 3 as the chosen date, with reports saying that the reception may take place at Madison Square Garden in New York. There will probably be another smaller, more intimate reception afterwards. Meanwhile, Swifties and gambling enthusiasts are buzzing on prediction markets. Vanity Fair reports that they are betting on every wedding detail – from the guest list and the venue, to whether she will be pregnant when she walks down the aisle. The pregnancy bet is hot on Polymarket with over 2 million dollars in wagers. But only 2 percent of the bets say she is already expecting. We will soon find out who is right. You can catch our press review every morning on FRANCE 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.