Mother and baby deaths rates increase for first time in 10 years

The figures come amidst rising concern over maternity standards in the NHS and mounting fears over the safety of mothers and babies.

Analysis of the most recent MBRRACE-UK reviews shows that between 2013 and 2020, the neonatal death rate fell by 17 per cent, from 1.7 to 1.3 per 1,000 live births – but in 2022, that increased by 15.4 per cent to 1.5.

Maternal deaths saw a “statistically significant” increase of 52.3 per cent between 2017 and 2019 and 2020 and 2022, increasing from 8.8 deaths per 100,000 to 13.4.

The new data comes after a CQC review earlier this year revealed that preventable harm in maternity units across the country is at risk of becoming “normalised”, such is the scale of the problems NHS maternity services face.

Issues were found with staffing, leadership, how safety is managed, and problems with equipment and buildings in many of the 131 NHS maternity units included in the CQC investigation.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has said addressing the crisis in maternity services is his number one priority, called the findings a “cause for national shame” – and while meeting with bereaved parents recently, including Katie Fowler and Rob Miller, he pledged to take action.

Katie, whose daughter Abigail died at two days old following poor standards of triage at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, said in response to the figures: "It doesn't surprise me to hear that maternal and neonatal death rates are increasing. Due to failings in care, my daughter died avoidably and I very nearly died too.

“This is the case for several families who received poor care from University Hospitals Sussex - both mum and baby have been at risk and the baby has died. This is the reality of not listening to mums during pregnancy and labour and not following guidelines - people die.

“Childbirth is by its nature a dangerous time for mum and baby, but that is why we have maternity services - to keep people safe. If they're not doing that, they're failing and they need to be held accountable because something is clearly wrong in the way they're run".

Nisha Sharma, principal lawyer at Slater and Gordon, is handling increasing numbers of claims from families who have suffered from NHS maternity failings.

“The issues in NHS maternity care are so long established that even the CQC is warning they risk becoming normalised – so this is yet more evidence that without change, things are only going to get worse. We can see that very clearly from this analysis,” says Nisha.

“The fact that death rates of both newborn babies and mothers are increasing is a huge cause for concern. We act for many families whose lives have been absolutely destroyed by failings in NHS maternity services, and on their behalf we have said many times that this cannot continue. To not take action amidst the latest set of warnings would be absolutely unforgiveable.

“We would again urge Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who himself has stated that maternity is a priority for him, to take action now. This cannot wait any longer, it has already taken far too long for any change to happen, and we must see decisive interventions made immediately.”