Powys' politicians have responded to the "deeply shocking" report into one of the UK's biggest maternity scandals.

Some 201 babies and nine mothers could have – or would have – survived if Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust had provided better care, the Ockenden Report has found.

Almost 1,600 clinical incidents were reviewed as part of the inquiry and found “repeated errors in care which led to injury to either mothers or to their babies”.

Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams said he was "appalled" by the number of families affected, while Mid and West Wales Senedd member Jane Dodds said "this sort of scandal must not ever be allowed to happen again".

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust presided over catastrophic failings for 20 years – and did not learn from its own inadequate investigations – which led to babies being stillborn, dying shortly after birth or being left severely brain damaged.

Maternity expert Donna Ockenden, who led the independent inquiry, said the Trust “failed both families, and sometimes their own staff, over a prolonged period of time”.

Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams and Mid and West Wales Senedd member Jane Dodds

Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams and Mid and West Wales Senedd member Jane Dodds

Reacting to the Ockenden Report, Mr Williams said: “The findings of the Ockenden Review are deeply shocking. I am appalled at the sheer numbers of families who have been affected, as well as the scale of negligence and systematic failings which was shown by the Trust over so many years.

“My deepest sympathies go to all those who have been traumatised and failed so badly. It is vital that the Trust accepts responsibility for the Review’s findings and acts now, which at the very least I hope will give some reassurance to all those who have suffered so terribly.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Senedd Member, Jane Dodds has called for the Welsh Government to make sure the report's findings are taken into account for maternity services that fall under their control. Hundreds of babies are born to Powys parents at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital maternity services every year.

“The families involved have suffered years of pain resulting from the consequences of this scandal and they have been extremely brave in bringing these issues to light.

“Women and families across Montgomeryshire, Shropshire and Wales and UK as a whole, should have a much safer experience when they welcome their babies into the world.

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“It is absolutely vital now that the UK Government listens to the findings of this review and acts upon the recommendations. This sort of scandal must not ever be allowed to happen again.

“I would also hope that the Welsh Government pay close attention to the findings as a body with a stake in the healthcare system of Shropshire, but also to make sure the findings are taken into account for maternity services that fall under direct Welsh Government control.

“We owe it to the families involved to ensure that the tragic deaths and harm caused were not in vain.”

Louise Barnett, chief executive at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said: “Today’s report is deeply distressing, and we offer our wholehearted apologies for the pain and distress caused by our failings as a trust.

“We have a duty to ensure that the care we provide is safe, effective, high quality, and delivered always with the needs and choices of women and families at its heart.

“Thanks to the hard work and commitment of my colleagues, we have delivered all of the actions we were asked to lead on following the first Ockenden report, and we owe it to those families we failed and those we care for today and in the future to continue to make improvements, so we are delivering the best possible care for the communities that we serve.”