The deaths of women and babies during childbirth in England have been described as "normalised," a situation that would be unacceptable in other countries, according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Speaking during a House of Commons debate on baby loss, Streeting expressed deep concern about the ongoing culture of silence and cover-up within maternity services. The debate coincides with a significant national investigation into maternity care in England, headed by Baroness Valerie Amos, who is expected to provide interim findings by December.

Streeting highlighted the emotional impact of repeated tragedies, noting his personal dread of meeting families affected by maternity failings, particularly referencing ongoing issues in trusts such as Nottingham. The Health Secretary did not shy away from addressing the systemic racism faced by mothers in hospitals, reporting firsthand accounts of Black women being stereotyped as "strong" and thus denied adequate pain relief, and Asian women being unfairly labelled as divas. This sentiment is reinforced by research from Oxford University, which found maternal mortality rates among Black women nearly three times higher than among white women, with Asian women twice as likely to die during childbirth. Data also reveals a concerning 27% rise in maternal mortality among white women between 2009 and 2022.

The national investigation led by Baroness Amos is structured in two phases: the first focuses on 14 hospital trusts identified as having the most concerning maternity and neonatal services, while the second phase will undertake a broader system-wide review, assimilating lessons from previous inquiries. The aim is to establish a unified, actionable plan to improve the safety and quality of maternity care across the country. The Department of Health and Social Care announced the terms of reference for the investigation in June, emphasising the need for compassionate care for all women and babies.

Baroness Amos's appointment was met with cautious optimism by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), which welcomed the leadership but urged for an acceleration of the review process. The RCM stressed the urgency of addressing systemic failings such as unsafe staffing levels, entrenched poor workplace cultures, and the failure to listen adequately to women in maternity care. They called on Health Secretary Streeting to ensure the review delivers timely and meaningful change.

This heightened scrutiny of maternity services follows parliamentary reports revealing that Black women’s concerns are frequently ignored or not taken seriously in maternity care, contributing to their disproportionately adverse outcomes. The systemic issues are linked to deficiencies in leadership, training, data collection, and accountability across the NHS. Streeting acknowledged this crisis candidly, committing to making the reduction of racial disparities a core focus of the national maternity and neonatal investigation.

MPs such as Olivia Blake of Sheffield Hallam underscored the recurring problems identified in past inquiries, including poor communication, missed warning signs, and families left to seek answers alone. Blake emphasised the critical importance of the upcoming national inquiry in driving sustained reform, ensuring that repeated failures no longer define maternity care in England.

The investigation’s emphasis on bereaved and harmed families reflects a patient-centred approach, seeking to learn from past tragedies and implement lasting improvements. The hope among healthcare professionals, MPs, and campaigners alike is that this comprehensive review will finally end the culture of acceptance around preventable deaths and systemic neglect in maternity services, marking a turning point for safer, equitable care for all women and babies.

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Source: Noah Wire Services