Taskforce set up to deliver urgent action on maternity

The government has finalised the membership of a taskforce that will tackle deep-rooted inequalities and deliver urgent action on the recommendations of the independent national investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England, led by Baroness Amos.

The expert panel of the National Maternity and Neonatal taskforce includes families, senior NHS leaders, royal colleges, campaigners, academics and third sector representatives who collectively have the clinical expertise, lived experience and sector know-how to deliver the changes so desperately needed for families.

As part of the selection process, the government has been working closely with harmed and bereaved families to ensure their personal experiences were reflected.

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, says: “I ordered an independent national investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services to make sure families harmed by maternity care get the truth and accountability they deserve. Baroness Amos will deliver on this vital work this June but to deliver truly meaningful change - so that other families do not face the ordeals too many are already enduring - we must be ready to act swiftly.

“While the vast majority of the 10,000 babies that are delivered by the NHS every week are done so safely, that’s not the case for every family. For those who go through the tragedy of baby loss, compassionate and caring environments are crucial to support families with privacy, empathy and specialised support. Investing £9 million funding across 40 trusts will allow them to enhance their bereavement facilities, to ensure bereaved families have the appropriate, high quality spaces to help begin to process their loss. 

“The taskforce will also address recent developments in maternity and neonatal care, including recommendations from the Thirlwall Inquiry and the independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.”

Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, adds: “Every woman and baby deserve safe, compassionate care during pregnancy and birth, and the very best start in life. Although NHS maternity and neonatal teams work incredibly hard to support women and families every day, we know there is more we must urgently do to improve care and experience.

“I look forward to working with members of the taskforce to improve safety and deliver the best possible outcomes and experience for women, babies, families and colleagues working in these services.”