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Rebecca Matthews

@rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social
1K followers 1.3K following 212 posts

Sr Lecturer in Educ & Child Development. PhD Psychology student. Former primary teacher. Mum of 2. Interests- #birthtrauma, #maternitysafety, #ReproEthics, child development, parenting, BCYP mental health, education & learning. Opinions own.

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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
Nadia Whittome MP @nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
It is disgraceful that hospital staff unlawfully accessed the medical records of the victims of the Nottingham attacks. These were cruel, selfish actions that violated the privacy of the victims and were deeply hurtful for their loved ones. 1/2
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism @tbij.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Full story 👇
thebureauinvestigates.com
Libel lawyers cast clients as underdogs in bid to halt anti-SLAPP law
London lawyers used a private government meeting to throw mud at the press and describe their super-rich clients as locked in a ‘David and Goliath’ battle
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
“If Jeffrey Epstein had been English, we may well have never known about his crimes” This is why Anti-SLAPP legislation matters for every victim… A compelling overview by @petergeoghegan.bsky.social & @jennacorderoy.bsky.social democracyforsale.substack.com/p/how-lawyers-…
democracyforsale.substack.com
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Fully behind the Reading Rights campaign by @Booktrust. We can’t expect to see improvements in R4P or shared reading unless we look at the root causes- austerity, cost of living crisis, childcare costs, mental health crisis…all play a critical part. #ReadingRights #Booksaremybag
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 13/05/2026
#UK: The absence of anti-SLAPP measures in the King’s Speech is deeply disappointing. Once again, the government has failed to protect British courts from abusive lawsuits that threaten free speech. We won’t give up. The fight to #StopSLAPPs continues ⬇️ antislapp.uk/2026/05/13/k...
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
In March I spoke at a parliamentary roundtable about the impact of SLAPPs (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation). We are calling for Anti-SLAPP legislation to be introduced in the U.K.. Will it feature in the #KingsSpeech? #StopSLAPPs
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Your slow news story for the day: Death rates for cervical cancer in the United Kingdom have fallen by 80% since 1950 from 8.6 deaths per 100,000 women to 1.7 ourworldindata.org/data-insight... @ourworldindata.org
Cervical cancer death rates in the United Kingdom have fallen by 80% since 1950
Reported deaths from cervical cancer per 100,000 women.
In 1950, there were 8.6 deaths from cervical cancer per 100,000 women

By 2021, this had fallen to 1.7
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Given your comment @ollyglover.bsky.social at today’s Westminster Hall debate that the @MatNeoInv, will you support your constituents’ calls for a #publicinquiry into maternity & neonatal services at #OxfordUniversityHospitals? FamiliesFailedbyOUH.co.uk #MaternitySafety
familiesfailedbyouh.co.uk
Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services | Maternity care failings in Oxfordshire
Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services is a campaign calling for an independent inquiry into maternity care at Oxford University Hospitals.
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Would really love your thoughts @ginnybraun.bsky.social & @vicclarke.bsky.social - I’ve written 2 papers for my PhD from one qualitative study (analysed using RTA) but I have so, so much more to draw on & discuss. Is there a limit to how many times you can use one data set?
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
OUH has apologised for presenting incorrect stillbirth data to Oxfordshire’s health scrutiny committee in January. Inaccurate data is the least of what was withheld from that committee & Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services made that clear to JHOSC last week… 🧵
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
Nik Sunil Williams @nikwilliams.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
The King's Speech is next month but there's still time to prod and push the gov to include an Anti-SLAPP commitment - that will mean parliamentary time will be given to this issue that already benefits from cross-party support. Here is a letter you can send to your MP - antislapp.uk/solutions/ta...
antislapp.uk
Take Action
Join the movement calling for statutory anti-SLAPP protections to ensure we are all free to speak out.
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
APPG on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax @anticorruption-responsibletax.org · 15/04/2026
We are proud to support the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition's day of action today to #StopSLAPPs. The law needs to protect those who speaking out against corruption. We are supporting the call for universal anti-SLAPP legislation to be included in the King's Speech.
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project @occrp.org · 15/04/2026
OCCRP joins the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition and a cross-industry "Day of Action" to demand urgent legislative protections against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). For more on this issue, read OCCRP’s full statement here: buff.ly/cEkJbXo #StopSLAPPs
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Today is the #StopSLAPPs Day of Action. The Anti-SLAPP Coalition (who have been an immense support to me!) says: “Legal bullying thrives when no-one pushes back.” This is personal for me. Myself & others are pushing back 🧵
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Anyone can be affected by a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation)- campaigners & whistleblowers are particularly at risk. If @wesstreeting wants to ensure harmed families can speak out, we need Anti-SLAPP legislation. #StopSLAPPs antislapp.uk
antislapp.uk
Welcome - UK Anti-Slapp Coalition
The UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition brings media organisations, lawyers, human rights defenders and other members of civil society together in solidarity with targets of SLAPPs
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
First meeting for the Expert Reference Group that I’m a part of for the National Maternity & Neonatal Taskforce this evening. Keen to find out more about what role we will be able to play in improving maternity & neonatal care across England. #MaternitySafety #MaternityTaskforce
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
We so desperately need Anti-SLAPP legislation in the U.K. If you’re unaware- a SLAPP is a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. They’re being used to silence & financially ruin patient safety advocates & whistleblowers. Read more at antislapp.uk #MaternitySafety
antislapp.uk
Welcome - UK Anti-Slapp Coalition
The UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition brings media organisations, lawyers, human rights defenders and other members of civil society together in solidarity with targets of SLAPPs
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
58 babies would likely be alive if they had received better care at #OxfordUniversityHospitals across a 5 year period. Incredibly proud of the #FamiliesFailedbyOUH Maternity Services campaign for giving families a voice. We need a public inquiry. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Better NHS care at Oxford hospital might have saved 58 babies, BBC finds
There are growing calls for a statutory public inquiry into maternity services in Oxford.
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Thank you @oxfordclarion.bsky.social for this long read about the state of England’s maternity services, the NMNI interim report & the Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services campaign’s achievement in securing OUH’s inclusion in the NMNI. #MaternityScandal #MaternitySafety
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Investigation by @newstatesman1913.bsky.social & @channel4news.bsky.social & @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social response here: newstatesman.com/politics/healt… channel4.com/news/exclusive��� channel4.com/news/health-se… channel4.com/news/oxford-un… #MaternityScandal #OxfordUniversityHospitals
newstatesman.com
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Oxon HOSC @oxfordshirecc.bsky.social held a private meeting with #OxfordUniversityHospitals re @newstatesman1913.bsky.social & @channel4news.bsky.social investigations into OUH maternity services… HOSC have not once contacted our campaign of over 780+ families. 🧵
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
At #OxfordUniversityHospitals the issue is not staffing but a deep-rooted toxic culture which oozes misogyny & paternalism: informed consent breaches; barriers to accessing caesareans; dismissal of pain & red flags; outright neglectful care. We need authentic accountability.
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Oxford health professionals advise mothers to dismiss media investigations as “sensationalist”. Institutional gaslighting of trauma survivors at its finest. As someone who shared my traumatic birth & what I’ve endured since advocating for harmed families, this sickens me. 🧵
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
“Now that you have met her do you want her? I don’t!!!” Written on my formal medical record by my previous consultant obstetrician at OUH after I raised concerns about maternity practices on behalf of over 50 women when newly pregnant again. This is how #PatientSafety advocates are treated.
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Thank you to ITV Meridian for once again giving a voice to families harmed by maternity services in Oxfordshire. ❤️ Listen to our reaction to Baroness Amos’ reflections here: www.itv.com/news/meridia... #FamiliesFailedbyOUH #MaternitySafety #AmosReview #MaternityScandal
itv.com
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
I was invited to speak on @thejeremyvine.bsky.social BBC Radio 2 show earlier. He asked what one change I would make to maternity services. Accountability. Listen here from 5mins in- bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0… #FamiliesFailedbyOUH #AmosReview #MaternitySafety #MaternityScandal
bbc.co.uk
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Failings reduced to a bullet point list in the NMNI Reflections. Until toxic cultures & leadership failings are addressed, & people & systems are held accountable, nothing will change. #OxfordUniversityHospitals #MaternityScandal news.sky.com/story/victim...
news.sky.com
Victims of maternity failings 'disappointed' with findings of damning report
The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation is being led by Baroness Amos, whose interim report released today already makes for difficult reading. Those who have suffered are sceptical of real ...
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
As a group of over 700 harmed families in #Oxfordshire failed by OUH maternity services, we’ve contacted @laylamoran.bsky.social many times & had no response. We had to organise our own meetings with @ValerieAmos. Why have you not supported us? bbc.co.uk/news/articles/… @eddavey.libdems.org.uk
bbc.co.uk
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
I’ve known Gothami for years now, having originally spoken to her in 2021 when I spoke to over 50 women denied caesarean births by @ouhospitals.bsky.social. Her experience will always stick with me. Their unethical ban on caesareans is a huge scandal. #OxfordUniversityHospitals #MaternityScandal
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
A joint report by @hannahsbee.bsky.social & @channel4news.bsky.social on maternity services at the JR in Oxford. 'I wanted to make a will,' Gothami says. 'I thought I’d die.' 'I did as a last resort this to protect my reputation, my livelihood & my patients.' www.channel4.com/news/exclusi...
channel4.com
Exclusive: Maternity scandal at Oxford University Hospitals Trust prompts calls for action from the Health Secretary
A joint New Statesman and Channel 4 News investigation has revealed shocking allegations against Oxford University NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, including that a baby declared stillborn was later fo...
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
But we have to ask what was the point of this question- the answer was simply that Lammy is pals with Amos 🤷‍♀️. Are #Oxfordshire families reassured that babies will stop dying preventable deaths? No. Please take genuine action urgently. #OxfordUniversityHospitals #MaternityScandal
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
Ian McClellan @ianmac.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
The recording of people without their consent has serious ethical and legal implications; and I also have to wonder why anyone associated with a health trust would attend a meeting of grieving parents? Such actions would appear to cross the line when it comes to gathering data without permission.
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
The Medical Journal of Australia @mja.com.au · 11/10/2025
🔔 NEW in the Medical Journal of Australia Linguistic manoeuvres: obstetric violence camouflages harm and loss of consent from birth ✍️ Harsha Ananthram, Liz Sutton, Rebecca Matthews, Nadine Montgomery, James Titcombe and Ajay Rane buff.ly/wnbz9Ms
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Do have a read of our latest article about how the term #ObstetricViolence camouflages the harm caused by the promotion of #normalbirth & undermines #InformedConsent in the process. Very important read given the UK’s national maternity & neonatal investigation. #MaternitySafety
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Still possible to “buy advantage”. 😢 www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Privately educated still have ‘vice-like grip’ on most powerful UK jobs
Those in top roles are five times as likely to have been to private school than general population, study finds
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
🚨 BREAKING: Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) has been named as one of the NHS Trusts included in the National Rapid Review of Maternity Services, led by Baroness @ValerieAmos. This comes after 15 months of active campaigning by our group, & 7y personal campaigning. www.familiesfailedbyOUH.co.uk
familiesfailedbyouh.co.uk
Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services | Maternity care failings in Oxfordshire
Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services is a campaign calling for an independent inquiry into maternity care at Oxford University Hospitals.
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
The Medical Journal of Australia @mja.com.au · 09/09/2025
🔔 NEW in the Medical Journal of Australia Linguistic manoeuvres: obstetric violence camouflages harm and loss of consent from birth ✍️ Harsha Ananthram, Liz Sutton, Rebecca Matthews, Nadine Montgomery, James Titcombe and Ajay Rane buff.ly/z0tje8w
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
So glad that Oxfordshire families have finally been included in the meetings with Baroness Amos. Tonight we felt listened to and as though national change may finally happen. More Oxfordshire families will be attending tomorrow. Www.familiesfailedbyOUH.co.uk
familiesfailedbyouh.co.uk
Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services | Maternity care failings in Oxfordshire
Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services is a campaign calling for an independent inquiry into maternity care at Oxford University Hospitals.
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
🚨 New Perspectives article in @mja.com.au 🚨 “Linguistic manoeuvres: obstetric violence camouflages harm and loss of consent from birth” By Dr. Harsha Ananthram @believemeithurt.bsky.social Nadine Montgomery @jamestitcombe.bsky.social Prof. Ajay Rane & 🙋‍♀️ ➡️ doi.org/10.5694/mja2.70045
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
July ‘24 I complained to @ox.ac.uk re the use of patient data collected via MNVP FB survey w/o ethical approval or patient consent by academics, #OxfordUniversityHospitals staff & the MNVP (funded by NHS BOB ICB)- jme.bmj.com/content/51/5/j… Oxford University said no issues…🤷‍♀️ #ClinicalEthics
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
And yet while women are ignored & not listened to by maternity staff at OUH, their data is used for research projects, & they are suddenly of interest when the harm they experienced can be ‘showcased’ in medical journals. #Clinicalethics? familiesfailedbyOUH.co.uk #HealthPsychology #ReproEthics
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Reposted by Rebecca Matthews
Birth Trauma Association @birthtrauma.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
Previous research has suggested that 4-5% of women develop postnatal PTSD. This latest study from Professor Susan Ayers shows a rate of 5.9% - or about 35,000 women a year. Worryingly high. www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1...
tandfonline.com
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
After presenting my first paper at SRIP, next up is my second paper at @bsaecf.bsky.social @bsa-medsoc.bsky.social in a fortnight- “From Expectation to Betrayal: Unmet Birth Expectations & the Interpersonal Roots of Trauma.” #BirthTrauma #PerinatalPsychology #MedicalSociology
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Conference season is coming to an end but there’s still time to print @ginnybraun.bsky.social & @vicclarke.bsky.social’s #ReflexiveThematicAnalysis Bingo from @sagepub.com: study.sagepub.com/sites/default/… A must-have for every #Qualitative researcher. #DoingQual
study.sagepub.com
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Seeing lots of posts about Odent- let’s not forget that he thought children born by caesarean birth were born with an “impaired capacity to love” & even checked the CS rates in countries to see if it was safe to go out at night… 👀 And we wonder why caesarean shame exists…
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Really enjoyed presenting my PhD research “Intensive Birthing Ideology and Maternal Self-Discrepancy: Understanding the psychological impact of unmet birth expectations” at the @thesrip.bsky.social Conference today. Many interesting conversations afterwards. #SRIP2025 #PerinatalPsychology
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
🚨 SIX HUNDRED HARMED FAMILIES 🚨 100 testimonials shared to our website 😢 www.familiesfailedbyouh.co.uk/your-experie... How has this level of harm been allowed to continue? @carequalitycomm.bsky.social @gmcuk.bsky.social @nhsengland.bsky.social @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Let’s not forget even our own Oxfordshire MPs have not listened- even in the face of awareness of repeated preventable harm. This was @laylamoran.bsky.social via BBC in April. Layla hasn’t once engaged with our group. @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social @eddavey.libdems.org.uk familiesfailedbyOUH.co.uk
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Our group of 550 harmed families are outraged by this response from @ouhospitals.bsky.social. Ticks so many #DARVO and reputational management PR boxes. We don’t want a roof garden, we want accountability. www.itv.com/news/meridia... @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social @freddievanmierlomp.bsky.social
itv.com
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Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthewspsy.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
In April OUH held rapid review as an attempt to exit MSSP…NHSE @gmcuk.bsky.social NMC @carequalitycomm.bsky.social MNVP all there. All stated NO CONCERNS. @freddievanmierlomp.bsky.social in touch with CNO prior to this. No-one contacted our group. Regulators failed us. familiesfailedbyOUH.co.uk
familiesfailedbyouh.co.uk
Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services | Maternity care failings in Oxfordshire
Families Failed by OUH Maternity Services is a campaign calling for an independent inquiry into maternity care at Oxford University Hospitals.
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