The UK government has launched a sweeping national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services, aiming to address systemic failures that have caused devastating harm to families across England. Announced by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, this rapid inquiry responds to numerous historical and recent allegations of inadequate maternity care stretching back more than 15 years.

The investigation will scrutinise 14 NHS trusts selected on multiple factors, including perinatal mortality rates from the MBRRACE-UK reports, Care Quality Commission (CQC) maternity patient survey results, and direct family feedback. The trusts include some with the most troubling histories, such as Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, where an independent inquiry led by Donna Ockenden found catastrophic failings over two decades potentially contributing to more than 200 neonatal deaths. Similarly, East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, examined previously by Bill Kirkup, was found to have had significant failures resulting in the deaths of 45 babies. Other trusts under investigation span across England, covering regions including Leeds, Oxford, Blackpool, Bradford, Gloucester, and Sussex.

The selection of these trusts follows mounting evidence that problems with maternity care are endemic, not isolated, with a recent CQC review finding that two-thirds of NHS maternity units across the country were rated either ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’ for safety. This highlights ongoing systemic issues such as staffing shortages, delays in emergency procedures, and concerns over patient dignity and hygiene that plague many services.

Baroness Valerie Amos has been appointed to lead the independent national investigation, underscoring the government’s commitment to placing bereaved and harmed families at the centre of the process. Baroness Amos has emphasised the importance of including the voices of mothers, fathers, non-birthing partners, and particularly the experiences of Black and Asian women and other marginalised groups whose perspectives have often been overlooked. Initial interim recommendations from the review are expected by December 2025, with full national guidance to follow.

While some trusts have welcomed the review, families and campaign groups have called for more robust actions. For instance, families affected by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have repeatedly urged for a fully independent inquiry, preferably led by Donna Ockenden, reflecting concerns that rapid reviews may not suffice for the extent of the failures experienced. Campaigners linked to Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust expressed relief at its inclusion in the investigation but continue to push for deeper accountability.

Industry experts and advocates stress that this investigation represents the first phase of a broader, coordinated national effort. Following this initial scrutiny of the worst-performing services, the government plans to synthesise findings from multiple previous inquiries and current investigations into a unified strategy to overhaul maternity care standards across England. This approach comes amid mounting pressure to provide truth, accountability, and improved safety for families affected by maternity-related harms, thereby restoring trust in NHS maternity services.

According to official statements, alongside Baroness Amos’s investigation, a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce chaired by Wes Streeting will be established to drive forward these urgent reforms, aiming to end the cycle of tragic mistakes and systemic neglect.

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Source: Noah Wire Services