Maternity service is failing families, says report

Staff shortages, capacity issues, lack of accountability and racism are among the interim findings of Baroness Amos

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NHS maternity services are failing women and babies through a reluctance to admit mistakes, 'a lack of kindness and compassion' and pervasive discrimination, according to a Government-ordered investigation.

An interim report published by Baroness Amos as part of her National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation found deep-rooted issues across the NHS and a system that 'is not working for women, babies and families, or for staff.

Her team has met more than 400 family members and heard from over 8,000 people, including NHS staff, through a public call for evidence, which closes next month.

Baroness Amos's final recommendations to the NHS in England will be published in the spring.

In her interim report, she said 'time and time again' families and staff see the same issues repeated and numerous reviews making recommendations. “This cycle must stop,” she said.

She pointed to six factors contributing to pressures on the maternity system, including shortages of staff, capacity issues, culture and leadership, racism and discrimination, lack of accountability when things go wrong and the poor condition of NHS hospitals and buildings.

She said: “We have heard about families being disregarded and not listened to during pregnancy and labour, a lack of kindness and compassion, and reluctance on the part of trusts and professionals to admit mistakes and say sorry when things have gone wrong...

“We have seen maternity and neonatal services trying to respond in difficult circumstances and dealing with competing pressures but too often failing to deliver the safe care that women, families and babies expect and deserve, at times with devastating consequences.”

The investigation found women pointing to a 'postcode lottery' of care, with Baroness Amos agreeing “this looks like a fragmented service”.

The report also found: