RCOG responds to National Maternity and Neonatal Interim Investigation

The interim report from the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation highlighted many themes that have appeared in previous reports such as racism & discrimination, workforce pressure, crumbling and underfunded estates and infrastructures, lack of multidisciplinary teamwork, cultural and leadership failures, and an overall lack of empathetic listening to women and their families.

The College supports maternity safety within the system through its role as an educator: developing  the curriculum, raising standards of care through the development of clinical guidance, supporting the career development of clinicians through exams, professional development courses and events, and support services for its members. The College also delivers research and quality improvement programmes that contribute to improvements in maternity safety and as part of its influencing and advocacy activity, ensures system wide improvements are identified and delivered.

The views and experiences of women, partners, families and staff are vital to informing the development of national recommendations to drive improvements in maternity and neonatal care across England and reduce inequalities in service delivery Dr Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, commented:
“Last summer, Wes Streeting stood before our members and said that he would take personal responsibility for turning things around after years of under-investment and stalled progress. We were very encouraged by this commitment and remain ready and willing to work with the Secretary of State to support rapid progress. 
"Today’s interim report is a compassionate and comprehensive whole system review. However, we are hearing that women are losing faith in the system and staff are struggling under rising workloads and increasingly complex care. We need action and investment to deliver the improvements so desperately needed by women, families and staff.
“Once the final report is published, we look forward to seeing tangible improvements in staffing shortages, training time, modernising equipment, and improved estates and processes for reviews when families experience harm or loss.
“The RCOG remains absolutely committed to supporting progress and we look forward to being invited to formally provide evidence to the ongoing Review and being part of the taskforce. We are concerned to hear from our members that many have not yet received the survey to be able to contribute their individual perspectives directly.
“Pregnant women and families who have experienced harm, or the tragedy of losing a much-loved baby, and staff that go to work in everyday under unacceptable pressures, need and deserve better.”

Further information: https://www.rcog.org.uk/news/rcog-responds-to-national-maternity-and-neonatal-investigation-interim-report-feb-2026/RCOG press office: pressoffice@rcog.org.uk