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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

1/3 This month we honour #BlackHistoryMonth, raise awareness for #DownSyndromeAwareness and support those affected by #BreastCancerAwareness. We recognise the diverse population of families included in the Review, and want to show our support to those families that may need it at this time.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

1/3 This baby loss awareness week, a Nottingham family have organised a beautiful ribbon display to support other bereaved families, raise awareness of baby loss and to create a special place to remember those who have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Today marks the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week 9-15th October. #BLAW is marked across the world. This week, the Review team will once again honour the lives of all the babies who have died.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Goodnight #Nottingham, v busy day at the Review: meetings with: families & ICB; for L&I: we met with reps from NUH & NHSE; NICU visit at NUH; & families & NUH. Tmrw:meeting with CEO of NUH; more family meetings before heading back to offices in #chichester : thank you

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Goodnight #Nottingham. We arrived yesterday to a day full of family meetings. Today we have met with families; including the GMC; NMC. Tomorrow we will host more family meetings, meet the ICB, and attend L&l. Here until Thursday, but our office is contactable mon-fri 8am-5pm.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

1/2 Thinking of the many parents and families affected by baby/child loss/death on Bereaved Parents Day. 🕊️ I took this video earlier this year on the way to visiting Baby Kernow (Cornwall’s baby). Baby Kernow is unknown, but I always remember & lay flowers - I have done so for

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Thinking of all fathers today 💜 Today may feel difficult for many fathers especially those without their babies & children for any reason - but please know that you are not alone. If you are within Review & need extra support today please contact FPSS. Support can be found on the Review website.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Goodnight #Nottingham, thank you for welcoming us. We are grateful to all families that gave up their Saturday to join us & engage in some v important discussions. Thank you to: families, charities & MPs. Tmrw our senior midwives will be holding family meetings b4 heading home.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Today we held a meeting for all involved in the Notts Maternity Review. We were joined by many families, charities, MPs, & local/regional journalists. Thank you to everyone who attended and we hope to see you all again at the next meeting in September. We read & respond to emails 7 days a week.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Before the Review team & I began our journey to #Nottingham for tomorrow’s Family Meeting, we did a pit stop at #Portsmouth to speak to midwifery students about how they can make a difference to safe maternity care. I trained as a midwife at Portsmouth so it is v special to me 💜

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

A beautiful day today at Baliffscourt Hotel for a very mini half term break with @phoebeockenden.bsky.social Just walking, chatting & chilling in the most beautiful surroundings. So delighted we made this choice: Its only 8 miles from Chichester so not the usual travel that’s a part of my life ❤️ ❤️

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Such a privilege to accompany students from Chichester College to meet @jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social @houseofcommons.parliament.uk All the students have additional needs but they more than rose to the challenge: with significant research about Parliament before the visit. Thank you Jess & team ❤️

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Until the next time! See you again soon #nottingham 👋 Thank you to all the many families that we met today, & all of the brilliant conversations that took place. We are always so very grateful for your warm welcome, your insight & how much we learn from you all.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

6:30am Saturday start for the Review team! Setting off to #nottingham for some v important family meetings & conversations today but still found time for my 0500 morning meditation & a quick coffee with V & E to keep us going. ☕️ A short day trip, but back in #Notts w/c 19th May

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

1/3 Still in awe of attending last night’s commemoration of VE Day in the company of veterans, their families, senior military leadership, and the wonderful team from the historic royal palaces.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Honoured to have been invited to Jenni Thomas’ book launch of ‘after a child dies’. I have known Jenni since I was a student midwife & have seen the way she has helped & supported so+ many bereaved families over the years. Thank you for all that you continue to do in supporting bereaved families.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Today I met Katie Russell, mother of Poppy who died avoidably as a result of maternity care in Apr 2021. Poppy’s parents have used some of their grief & anger to develop Poppy’s Promise a step by step communication tool for across the NHS. We met Baroness Merron at DHSC today to discuss next steps ❤️

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

The end of the Easter hols & back to Chichester College for Miss Phoebes @phoebeockenden.bsky.social - Maximum effort now Miss P until May half term ❤️

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Brilliant to visit Chelsea Physic Garden today for a wander around & enjoy the beautiful blossom & blooms. Loved it so much I decided to join! Don’t know when I’ll get a chance to visit but it’s a little ‘oasis’ less than 15 mins walk from Victoria train station! Fab cafe too! Lovely soup at lunch

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

A ‘living wall’ on a high London building just up from Victoria Station. It’s beautiful & so full of flowers.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Spending Easter weekend with my gorgeous girl @phoebeockenden.bsky.social am so enjoying a few days with her in Chichester & London! She’s back to Chichester College on Tues & I’ll be back to to work. Keeping ‘an eye’ on everything in the meantime. Shopping & chatting later in London us two girls ❤️

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

So: It’s Easter hols from college for @phoebeockenden.bsky.social so away for a few days! Brighton! Miss P has started with a Pimms & lemonade! We have afternoon tea & then just mooching round the fab shops & kind of chatting & chilling. Life so v v busy so we try to just be together 💕 when we can ❤️

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

Barriers to effective teamwork: listening to Dr Millie Kehoe: many ++ top down directives, introduced with minimal engagement/discussion, fear of speaking up & out even with patient harm/ power imbalances/ high service demand, work pressure & poor handovers. There are solutions: still so much to do

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

Hearing from Dr Denis McCauley at #Medprof25 on the challenges facing the med workforce in 🇮🇪 Are 🇮🇪 keeping up? No: catching up? Not really: with an increasingly older & complex population. Focussing on the damage done to patients & staff when resources & capacity do not match population need.

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

At #MEDPROF25 listening to a brilliant account from Tib Pereira @pfps-ireland.bsky.social explaining the journey towards effective patient representation across Ireland 🇮🇪 Still on the journey towards full empowerment & equal partnership between patients & healthcare staff but progress being made

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

2/2 More on the fab history & on to the future of @rcsi-medprof.bsky.social Here: a plaque commemorating the visit of President MacAleese to RCSI, the original Head Porter’s chair with hood to keep out the rain, the founder of RCSI & a v old dentist chair: with a new dental school soon to start!

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

1/2 From history to modernity: @rcsi-medprof.bsky.social has a span of 200 years ++ in Dublin. An honour to be asked to speak & to be given a tour of the old medical school with such a fab history. Here is the first female FRCSI with a staircase named after her… And barbers poles? Any guesses why?

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Just landed in Dublin ahead of tomorrow’s @rcsi-medprof.bsky.social Medical Professionalism Conference. Delighted to have been invited as a keynote speaker to discuss Learning from Independent Inquiries & looking forward to connecting with colleagues #MEDPROF25

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

The most perfect ❤️ morning in Florence! A long & full day yesterday meeting with some awesome colleagues in perinatal care. And then just 2 hrs free today before my airport transfer back to London! I did a lot of walking! And will v definitely come back! Such splendour on a joyful & sunny morning ☀️

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Such a lovely time meeting Caiti O in London: a long awaited Mum & daughter catch up for shopping, chatting & a brilliant evening @ The Vaults in London watching ‘Plied & Prejudice’ (v different from the more traditional version!) Such a great time ❤️

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

3/3 If my story resonates with you, I am sending strength & care 💜. As I always say to my 2 beautiful girls & what I have told myself throughout the years ‘Do your best, be kind. Go on, just do your best…’ xx

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

1/3 Absolutely honoured+++ to have had the HUGE privilege to share my life story to music on @BBCRadio4 Desert Island Discs. I was so surprised to be asked to be a part of this programme, that I had to triple check that they had asked the right Donna Ockenden!!!

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

Out with gorgeous girl @phoebeockenden.bsky.social for dinner 2night. Had such a nice day: out for lunch & a little walk: then she agreed to allow her old mother to go to a couple of garden centres! Essential to keep my tiny backyard (patio if we are being posh!) full of colour& scent all yr round

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Very early & I’m walking through St Ives today (to get my car & drive back to Chichester & meet my team!) Last bits of planning for our trip to London/ then Nottingham to meet bereaved/ harmed families. Looking forward to seeing so many of you in the next couple of days ❤️

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Delighted to catch up with Team MASIC tonight at the @babylife.bsky.social awards. Thank you Chloe & team, you do such a brilliant job on behalf of so many birth injured women. MASIC truly is a lifeline x

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

A week away from work: well I’ll obviously check in as not too good at parting company entirely! But here’s my choice of reading including poetry I’ve not looked at in decades! Making my way through Under Milk Wood now & laughing out loud. It’s so funny & so very South Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Grateful to spend time on a stormy Gunwalloe Cove to honour & remember unknown Baby Kernow. It’s where I go to remember my mum. Long story as to why it’s here! Her orchids on the church window looking splendid despite a definite lack of care! The colours of the Lizard are so rich & varied

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Grateful to be able to have a walk on the beach very early before work today. The moon was still bright, the beach empty except for some doggy paw prints showing someone had been there even earlier than me. Vitamin Sea - perfect start to a day 😊

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Here are a few recommendations for follows on @bsky.app It’s day 1 for me so very much learning! Reminds me of the early days on Twitter when I wrote all my Tweets on bits of paper first before posting! Was so terrified I’d make a mistake!

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Donna Ockenden FRSA, Hon DLitt Hon DSci @dockendenltd.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

In chilly #Nottingham this week, meeting with families; the Trust; & journalists, as part of our ongoing Review work. Today, myself & NUH Chief Exec were LIVE on the morning health show on Kemet FM answering some very important questions on the progress of the Review, diversity, & inclusivity.

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