Families affected by serious maternity care failings at hospitals in Nottingham, Leeds and Sussex are renewing calls for a statutory public inquiry, arguing that existing investigations have not provided enough accountability.

Senior midwife Donna Ockenden, who investigated maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, found that more than half of the trust's former senior executives did not provide evidence to her review. She has now begun gathering evidence relating to maternity care in Leeds and Sussex.

Bereaved and affected families say a judge-led statutory inquiry would have stronger powers to compel witnesses to provide evidence and could help establish what went wrong and why.

The Department of Health and Social Care says improving maternity care remains a priority, with reforms continuing through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce. The renewed campaign is likely to keep NHS maternity safety and accountability high on the UK healthcare agenda.