Maternity services ‘much worse’ than expected

The state of maternity services across the NHS is “much worse” than anticipated, according to the chair of a national review into maternity care.

Baroness Amos, who is leading a rapid review of maternity provision, has released an interim report three months into her investigation being launched – and admits she is shocked with what she has already seen.

Failings were obvious across the board, her report says, with women experiencing trauma and poor standards in all aspects of maternity care.

Her report, titled Reflections and Initial Impressions, highlights examples from across the country from her meetings with over 170 families and seven NHS Trusts so far.

Examples of failings include women not being listened to or being given even basic standards of care; a lack of cleanliness and women going hungry while on maternity wards; NHS organisations “marking their own homework” when babies died or were harmed. She also points to issues in care for women of colour and those with mental health problems.

The final report from Baroness Amos is due to be published in the Spring, with more visits to NHS Trusts and families planned for into the new year. Its eventual findings will be implemented by a new National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Law firm Slater and Gordon acts for families nationally who have suffered trauma and loss as a result of maternity failings, and is a passionate advocate for the need for change.

Nisha Sharma, principal lawyer who is acting for families across the country in maternity cases, says: "The reflections from Baroness Amos are damning and extremely wide ranging, taking in all aspects of the maternity system - from poor standards of basic care, through to a lack of empathy, compassion or support. This is a shocking indictment of today's maternity system, and even more so that these issues should become so obvious to Baroness Amos in such a short period of investigation.

"However, there is nothing new in here, and the systemic issues within maternity are widely known. This is yet another reminder of what needs to be addressed and actioned urgently - but already the wait for action has been too long. Women and their babies are coming to harm every day in a system that is not fit for purpose - this report must be the catalyst for the long overdue change that is so badly needed."