Major NHS maternity probe launched after devastating spate of child deaths scandals
The ‘rapid national investigation’ is being launched after investigations into maternity units in Shrewsbury and Telford, Sussex and East Kent found poor care may have contributed to babies dying or having life-changing injuries
A sweeping inquiry into NHS maternity services is underway following a spate of infant mortality scandals. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has kicked off the “rapid national investigation” in light of inquiries into maternity wards in Shrewsbury and Telford, Sussex and East Kent, which revealed poor care might have played a part in infants dying or suffering life-changing harm.
It comes after the Care Quality Commission found last year that these problems were also being seen elsewhere. Addressing the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Mr Streeting declared the probe would “address systemic problems dating back over 15 years”.
He said: “For the past year, I have been meeting bereaved families from across the country who have lost babies or suffered serious harm during what should have been the most joyful time in their lives.
“What they have experienced is devastating – deeply painful stories of trauma, loss, and a lack of basic compassion – caused by failures in NHS maternity care that should never have happened. Their bravery in speaking out has made it clear: we must act – and we must act now.”
He added: “I know nobody wants better for women and babies than the thousands of NHS midwives, obstetricians, maternity and neonatal staff, and that the vast majority of births are safe and without incident, but it’s clear something is going wrong. That’s why I’ve ordered a rapid national investigation to make sure these families get the truth and the accountability they deserve, and ensure no parent or baby is ever let down again. I want staff to come with us on this, to improve things for everyone.”, reports the Mirror.
“We’re also taking immediate steps to hold failing services to account and give staff the tools they need to deliver the kind, safe, respectful care every family deserves. Maternity care should be the benchmark by which this government is judged on patient safety, and I will do everything in my power to ensure no family has to suffer like this again.”
A Care Quality Commission (CQC) review of 131 NHS units last year highlighted concerns over staffing, facilities, equipment, and safety management, warning that preventable harm was at risk of becoming “normalised”.
Just last week, fears of another maternity scandal emerged at Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust after the regulator deemed care “inadequate” and issued a warning notice, requiring immediate action to improve. Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive at NHS England, has sounded the alarm on maternity care, stating: “Despite the hard work of staff, too many women are experiencing unacceptable maternity care and families continue to be let down by the NHS when they need us most.”
He insisted that this urgent nationwide probe must draw a definitive line for maternity services, declaring: “This rapid national investigation must mark a line in the sand for maternity care – setting out one set of clear actions for NHS leaders to ensure high quality care for all.”
Mackey emphasised the importance of openness, saying: “Transparency will be key to understanding variation and fixing poor care – by shining a spotlight on the areas of greatest failure we can hold failing trusts to account. Each year, over half a million babies are born under our care and maternity safety rightly impacts public trust in the NHS – so we must act immediately to improve outcomes for the benefit of mothers, babies, families and staff.”
The previous year’s comprehensive review of maternity services across England painted a grim picture, revealing that nearly half, 48%, were deemed inadequate or needing improvement. Alarmingly, a quarter had slipped in their ratings since the last inspection, and focusing on safety alone, a staggering 65% failed to make the grade.
The review highlighted commendable practices but raised serious concerns about:
– Staffing gaps, with newly qualified nurses thrust into roles more appropriate for experienced midwives and doctors.
– Equipment issues, such as faulty call bells and subpar pain management.
– Delays in emergency Caesareans due to unavailable operating theatres.
– Patients have been left in blood-soaked sheets with scant access to loos and showers, compromising their privacy and dignity
– Cramped, noisy and overheated wards
– Inconsistencies in the way safety incidents were monitored and recorded, including major emergencies such as significant loss of blood and internal injuries recorded as causing low or no harm
– Bad leadership and management creating blame cultures and low morale.
The investigation will consist of two parts. The first will urgently investigate up to 10 of the most concerning maternity and neonatal units, including Sussex, to give affected families answers as quickly as possible. The second will undertake a system-wide look at maternity and neonatal care.
Today’s also the day the government kicks off a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, with Mr Streeting at the helm and a panel of experts and bereaved families.
Dr Clea Harmer, top dog at the bereavement charity Sands, said: “Sands believes listening to and learning from the experiences of bereaved parents is vital to improving maternity and neonatal care. We are pleased that the independent safety taskforce will include parent representatives.
“We look forward to working with the Secretary of State on this much-needed and long-overdue programme and to ensuring that concrete steps are taken towards real accountability and lasting systemic change.”
Professor Ranee Thakar, President, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “Too many women and babies are not getting the safe, compassionate maternity care they deserve, with tragic outcomes that are devastating families. The maternity workforce is on its knees, with many now leaving the profession.
“This has gone on for too long and the RCOG welcomes the Health and Social Care Secretary today confirming he will personally lead plans to deliver rapid improvement.
“It is vital that the national review announced today is done quickly, builds on the evidence from previous maternity investigations and produces a definitive set of recommendations that galvanises action across the system.”
