Scandal-hit baby death hospital trust ex-chief's firm raked in THOUSANDS providing NHS maternity training

A former chief executive of a hospital trust implicated in multiple maternal deaths has been linked to a company receiving substantial payments for providing NHS maternity training, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. Peter Homa, who served as chief executive of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust from 2007 to 2017, is currently a director and co-owner of Acorn Leadership Development, a firm that has received several contracts from NHS trusts for leadership and training services. According to publicly available spending data, the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire Trust paid Acorn £45,372 in September 2023 for nursing training. In March 2023, Northampton General Hospital recorded payments of £98,250 for a maternity governance training course and £28,600 for clinical placement training, both attributed to Acorn. Homa’s tenure at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust came under scrutiny following the release of the Ockenden Report in June 2024. The independent review, conducted by midwife Donna Ockenden, found that 520 mothers and babies had suffered potentially avoidable harm or death due to poor care between 2012 and 2025. The report highlighted systemic failures in leadership, communication, and safety protocols within the trust, with staff concerns often dismissed or ignored. Homa joined the NHS in 1979 and retired in 2017 with a pension valued at over £2 million. His role at the trust coincided with several high-profile cases of maternal mortality, including the tragic deaths of Harriet Hawkins in 2016 and Wynter Andrews in 2019. Families affected by these incidents have expressed deep concern over Homa’s continued involvement in the healthcare sector. Sarah and Jack Hawkins, who were awarded a £2.8 million settlement after their daughter Harriet died in the womb due to medical negligence, stated they were “very confused” to learn that Homa’s firm was engaged in providing leadership training to NHS trusts. They argued that it seemed inappropriate for someone with his history to be involved in shaping the leadership of the NHS. Similarly, Sarah and Gary Andrews, parents of Wynter Andrews, who died shortly after birth in 2019, echoed these sentiments. They noted that the Ockenden Review had already identified serious issues with leadership and cultural practices during Homa’s time at the trust. They questioned whether it was appropriate for him to be compensated from public funds for leadership development programs, given the documented failures under his leadership. Acorn Leadership Development’s website features a case study highlighting its work with an NHS hospital leadership team, emphasizing its focus on developing leaders capable of navigating complex challenges. However, critics argue that the firm’s involvement in training NHS professionals raises ethical concerns, particularly given Homa’s past association with the trust. The Liberal Democrats' Health and Social Care spokesperson, Helen Morgan MP, commented on the situation, stating it was “shocking” that a firm co-owned by someone responsible for catastrophic failures in maternity care could receive public funding for training. She called for greater accountability and transparency in how NHS trusts allocate resources for leadership development. As the controversy continues, the focus remains on the implications of allowing individuals with a history of institutional failures to play a role in shaping the future of NHS leadership through financial incentives. The broader debate extends beyond Homa’s specific case, touching on wider issues of ethics, accountability, and the use of public funds in healthcare education and development.