New National Maternity Investigation Launched to Drive Urgent Improvements

The UK Government has announced a rapid national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services, aimed at addressing systemic issues and dramatically improving care and safety standards for families across England.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed the initiative following consultations with bereaved families who have shared harrowing experiences of loss, trauma, and inadequate care during their maternity journeys. The investigation intends to provide affected families with truth, accountability, and comprehensive actions to ensure such failures are not repeated.

Comprehensive and Urgent Action

The inquiry, scheduled to commence this summer, will proceed in two parts:

Immediate Investigation: This first phase will urgently examine up to ten maternity and neonatal units identified as having serious safety and care concerns, including services in Sussex. The goal is to swiftly provide answers and accountability to affected families.

System-wide Review: The second part will encompass a thorough examination of the maternity and neonatal care system nationwide, collating findings from previous investigations into one cohesive action plan aimed at achieving high-quality, compassionate, and safe care universally.

The investigation is expected to report its findings by December 2025.

Involvement of Families and Experts

Central to the investigation will be the collaboration and co-production with clinicians, maternity experts, and crucially, parents who have experienced care failings first-hand. This approach ensures that real-world experiences directly influence the outcomes and recommendations.

Additionally, a new National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by Secretary Streeting, will incorporate experts and representatives from bereaved families to guide the inquiry and subsequent reforms.

Immediate Actions and Accountability

In tandem with the inquiry, the government has outlined immediate actions, including:

-Direct intervention by NHS leadership in failing trusts to ensure rapid improvements.

-Roll-out of a national digital system by November 2025 to swiftly flag safety concerns.

-Implementation of a targeted anti-discrimination programme to address significant inequalities faced particularly by Black, Asian, and underserved communities.

Voices from the Safer Pregnancy Community:

Sands has praised the inclusion of anti-discrimination efforts and the involvement of bereaved families in shaping improvements.

Miscarriage Association has acknowledged the critical focus on inequalities and reiterated the importance of including voices from those who experience pregnancy loss.

Twins Trust highlights the increased risks faced by families with multiples and emphasises the importance of specialised care and resources.

NCT (National Childbirth Trust) acknowledges the courage of bereaved families in driving this change and stresses the urgency of addressing frontline training and inequalities.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council supports the swift investigation, underscoring the necessity of tackling health disparities and ensuring safe, effective care for every family.

Commitment to Lasting Change

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has committed firmly to ensuring this investigation marks a decisive turning point in maternity care standards across England, describing maternity care as a crucial measure of the government’s commitment to patient safety.

With over half a million births annually, transforming maternity services is seen as essential for restoring public trust and safeguarding the health and wellbeing of mothers, babies, and families nationwide.

MAMA Academy remains dedicated to closely monitoring the progress of this investigation and supporting the call for compassionate, equitable, and safe maternity care for all families.