The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting has launched a national inquiry into the care within the maternity sector stating, “we must act now”.
This inquiry has been categorised as “rapid” with a full national report due by December 2025. The report will also look at the worst-performing maternity and neonatal services in the country (including University Hospitals Sussex and Leeds Teaching Hospitals). The report will pull together lessons from past investigations to create a set of actions that aim to improve care in all maternity units across the country.
There is also a plan in place to launch a programme focused on tackling discrimination and addressing the inequalities in care that black, Asian, and other underserved communities of women often face. The goal is to make sure that everyone receives the same high-quality care, no matter their background.
- In March 2015 an investigation found mothers and babies died unnecessarily at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust between 2004 and 2013 – the report described a dysfunctional culture with substandard clinical skills, poor risk assessments and a repeated failure to properly investigate cases and learn lessons. Furness baby deaths inquiry: ‘Lethal mix of failures’ – BBC News
- In March 2022 an investigation into services at the Shrewsbury & Telford NHS Trust found that more than 200 mothers and babies could have survived with better care. Shrewsbury maternity report: Uncovering the biggest NHS maternity scandal – BBC News
- Then, in October that year, a review into maternity services at East Kent Hospitals University NHS trust found that at least 45 babies might have survived if they had been given proper treatment. East Kent: A decade of failure in maternity care – BBC News
Many families feel let down by NHS maternity care, with experiences that can leave them feeling unsupported and unheard. Tragically, some families face more serious outcomes due to gaps in care, leaving them to question the system that is supposed to be there for them during one of life’s most vulnerable moments. The time for change is now, in order to drive systemic change.
This inquiry comes only a year after the All-Party Parliamentary Group investigating the reasons for birth trauma and to develop policy recommendations to reduce the rate of birth trauma.
How Wolferstans Solicitors Can Help
At Wolferstans we work with families affected by maternity and neonatal failings. If you or a loved one have experienced medical negligence, our award-winning Medical Negligence experts are here for you.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation on 01752 292204 or email us at medicalnegligence@wolferstanscom. We operate on a No Win, No Fee basis.