DOZENS of mothers and infants died as a result of medical errors at scandal-plagued NHS hospitals during a two-decade period, according to a devastating report released today.

In the greatest maternity scandal in NHS history, 201 infants and nine mothers died needlessly in Midlands hospitals.

An investigation led by renowned midwife Donna Ockenden today revealed a slew of calamitous blunders at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

It discovered that maternity facilities had been understaffed for years, and that managers failed to accept responsibility for errors.

In addition to the terrible fatalities, 94 newborns were left with life-changing brain damage as a result of “catastrophic” treatment.

Ms Ockenden began her discussion of the results this morning by paying respect to the families who had lost loved ones or experienced life-changing injuries.

The former midwife applauded the fact that “families’ voices are now being heard.”

She called the maternity services “failure,” adding, “This is a trust that fails to investigate, fail to learn, and fail to improve.”

“As a result, so many of our families have experienced catastrophes and life-changing events.”

The research examined over 1,800 complaints at Midlands hospitals, the majority of which occurred between 2000 and 2019.

It was discovered that the trust had not examined 40% of stillbirths and 43% of newborn fatalities.

It prompted employees to speak up, painting a picture of a “clique with a culture of undermining and bullying” in which concerns were disregarded by managers.

Ms Ockenden also stated that maternity workers had contacted the review panel only this month to express their concerns regarding treatment on the wards.

One submitted an emotional note to the parents, which was delivered by the top midwife, stating, “I am sorry and I know that sorry is not enough, but by participating in this review, we hope that our voices will finally be heard and change will occur.”

“In many cases, mother and infants were left with life-long illnesses as a result of their care and treatment,” stated the chief midwife.

“The causes of these failures are obvious. There were insufficient employees, a lack of continuous training, a lack of effective inquiry and governance within the trust, and a culture of not listening to the families affected.

“There will be no excuses in the future; trust boards must be held accountable for the maternal care they give.”

“The trust was based on the notion that its maternity services were excellent – they were mistaken.”

In her study, she stressed that the trust’s difficulties were “not exceptional,” with an overhaul needed in mother-and-baby facilities across England.

“Every woman giving birth has the right to a safe birth,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said this afternoon in the House of Commons. “My heart therefore goes out to the families for the grief and suffering they have undergone.”

The investigation was begun after grieving relatives fought tooth and nail for an investigation into the blunders.

It discovered that families were often mistreated, which was reflected in women’s medical records, papers submitted to the investigation by the trust and families, and letters addressed to families by the trust.

In some situations, mothers were blamed for losing their kids, while in others, their worries and complaints were rejected, exacerbating their anguish over the loss of a child.

Target figures for “natural” vaginal deliveries resulted in women being rejected or having C-sections delayed, increasing risks, according to the analysis.

Ms Ockenden revealed how, in 2011, a lady was in agony but was assured it was “nothing,” while personnel were dismissive and made her feel “sad” in her initial report due in December 2020. One doctor was dismissive, calling her “lazy.”

Today, she stated that many families had come forward as recently as last year to express their dissatisfaction with the treatment they received at the trust.

Tory MP Jeremy Hunt, who as health secretary launched the Ockenden probe into mother and newborn deaths in Shrewsbury in 2017, said the figures were “worse” than he could have expected at the outset of the process.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that there were initially 23 causes for worry.