Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust has issued a heartfelt apology to an Oxford couple, Joy Kabiri and Daniel Udoeyo, after their son was stillborn. The devastating loss could have been prevented if earlier opportunities for intervention had not been missed, sparking calls for systemic changes within the NHS.
Ms Kabiri, 33, had been trying for a baby for four years before falling pregnant unexpectedly in spring 2025. Her medical history, including a previous procedure to remove abnormal cervical cells at the John Radcliffe (JR) Hospital, meant her pregnancy should have been classified as high-risk from the start. Despite repeatedly informing staff and midwives about this, she claims her concerns were consistently dismissed. As her pregnancy progressed, Ms Kabiri experienced worrying symptoms, which were not taken seriously by medical staff. She was eventually admitted to the JR with heavy bleeding, where doctors informed her that she needed to be induced to save her own life. Baby Elkan was stillborn at 20 weeks on 1 September.
An internal investigation has revealed that Ms Kabiri should have been placed on a "pre-term labour risk pathway", which would have led to further monitoring and interventions to reduce the risk of pregnancy loss. The trust acknowledged that during one hospital attendance, a more cautious approach was needed, and Ms Kabiri should have been offered a thorough examination and medical review. Simon Crowther, interim chief executive officer at OUH, stated that the trust is "truly sorry" for not providing adequate care to Joy, attributing the failings to poor communication and missed opportunities for additional monitoring.
This case highlights the need for urgent change in maternity services, which have been marred by systemic failures and widespread discrimination. Data shows that Black women in the UK are nearly three times more likely to die during or shortly after childbirth compared to white women, and Black babies are twice as likely to be stillborn. Baroness Amos's interim findings into national maternity services have highlighted "structural racism and persistent inequalities" leading to a higher risk of adverse outcomes for women from Black and Asian backgrounds and those from more deprived areas.
The John Radcliffe Hospital, part of OUH, is one of 12 NHS trusts mentioned in this national report, where families have reported issues such as the presence of other women's blood on equipment, contributing to the sense of neglect and incompetence within some maternity units. The couple's story shines a light on the need for greater transparency and accountability in these services.