The Family Psychological Support Service (FPSS) in Nottingham

What is the Family Psychological Service (FPSS)?

On Saturday, Zoe, Emily, Rachel, Kathryn, Jen and Ben from the Condition Management team attended the family day for the Independent Maternity Review in Nottingham led by Donna Ockenden as the providers of the Family Psychological Support Service (FPSS).  FPSS is a specialist support service, delivered by The Condition Management Company, for families involved with the Independent Maternity Review into cases of serious concern at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The family days are there to provide the affected families with a space to engage directly with the review team and other key parties to the inquiry, such as Nottinghamshire Police, the General Medical Council, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, as well as support agencies. This ensures that updates are being shared about the progress of the inquiry and that there are open lines of communication about recent developments, as well as the opportunity to ask questions to the relevant parties.

FPSS attends each family day to ensure that support is on hand throughout these events, appreciating that these conversations can be very difficult for those affected, as well as ensuring that those who haven’t yet engaged with the service are aware of the support available to them, should they need it. We have a dedicated website for FPSS if you would like to learn more about the service.

Supporting Families with Sensitivity, Dignity, and Offering Specialist Support.

Birth trauma and loss have a devastating impact. Behind every finding are parents, partners and families whose experiences have changed their lives forever.  

Since 2022, we have worked in partnership with Donna Ockenden and her team, to deliver psychological support to the families affected by the review and the failings that occurred. Now, as the review nears publication, our team continue to work with the families at a difficult time. For many, the trauma does not end when the investigation concludes or when formal processes are completed. Psychological impact can continue long after, affecting health, relationships, and daily life.

Bespoke and Specialised Patient Care

We’d like to extend great thanks to the families who have worked with us, for their bravery, trust and engagement. In addition to experiencing the psychological impact that their experiences have had in their life, many have also been navigating the difficulties of the ongoing investigation and legal processes which can intensify distress and uncertainty.

In each case our clinicians have worked with people to deliver bespoke packages of care and highly individualised support. Thanks should also be given to the Condition Management team who have worked with dedication and commitment to provide the best mental health provision possible. Offering a range of tailored, evidenced-based therapies, our team have worked with continuing compassion and professionalism.

Why Specialist Psychological Support Matters

The psychological impact of maternity trauma is complex. It can affect many aspects of a person’s life, impacting close family relationships, and wider networks of friends and communities. If the right psychological support is not present, distress can deepen and have lasting negative impact on health and wellbeing. Beyond the initial impact of each person’s experience is the impact of the review process itself. As participants may have been asked to provide detailed accounts of their experience, or be part of discussions about the events that have occurred, this in itself can be distressing or traumatic. Ensuring that the right support is available to those affected is central to an effective inquiry and the wellbeing of those impacted.

Has the FPSS Service Been Successful in Supporting Families?

The FPSS service delivered by the Condition Management Company has ensured that those affected by the maternity review in Nottingham have had access to high-quality, person-centred mental health support and treatment. Our experienced clinicians have worked to deliver specialists therapies; cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), integrative counselling, Integrated Family Systems (IFS), couples therapy, psychosexual therapy, play therapy for children, and others to address individual challenges, helping people to manage the impact of their experiences and helping them to move forward in their lives. FPSS has helped people to regain control, develop coping strategies, and feel more able to navigate and participate in functional lives following deeply distressing experiences.

We have had lots of positive feedback from people who have used the FPSS service. People who have given heart-felt thanks to their clinicians who have offered them vital support, space to feel seen and heard, and expert knowledge on how to begin to process and respond to their circumstances through professional, evidence-based mental health treatments and therapies.  

Moving Forward as the Nottingham Maternity Review Nears Publication

The review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) is the largest inquiry in NHS history. As the review nears publication, in summer 2026, it is vital that the experiences of the families who we have worked with are not forgotten and remain at the centre for learning and change. Having supported families following their experiences and throughout the investigation, we know how deeply peoples’ experiences endure throughout their lives, beyond timelines and reports. Psychological support for families must continue to be an essential part of their route forwards.