National maternity investigation to focus on 14 trusts

The national investigation of maternity and newborn care across England will focus on 14 trusts, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed.

The investigation was announced in June, and was initially meant to conduct urgent reviews of up to 10 trusts where there were specific issues between now and December.

The 14 trusts have been chosen based on a number of factors including data from the CQC maternity patient survey, and MBRRACE-UK perinatal mortality rates, as well as ensuring a diverse mix of trusts across type, geographical coverage and provision of care to diverse populations.

It will look at a range of services across the maternity system, following independent reviews across multiple trusts that suggested women’s voices had been ignored, safety concerns overlooked and poor leadership.

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The terms of reference for the investigation include understanding the lived experiences of families, reviewing the quality and safety of the services and identifying drivers and the impact of inequalities. It also will look at barriers to making improvements.

Led by master of University College Oxford and former government minister, Baroness Valerie Amos, the investigation will make national recommendations to ‘achieve consistently high-quality, safe maternity and neonatal care’. Interim recommendations will be delivered in December 2025, DHSC said.

Baroness Valerie Amos commented: ‘It is vital that the voices of mothers and families are at the heart of this investigation from the very beginning.

‘Their experiences – including those of fathers and non-birthing partners – will guide our work and shape the national recommendations we will publish. We will pay particular attention to the inequalities faced by Black and Asian women and by families from marginalised groups, whose voices have too often been overlooked.

‘Our aims are to ensure the lived experiences of affected families are fully heard, to conduct and publish 14 local investigations of maternity and neonatal services, and to develop recommendations informed by these that will drive improvements across maternity and neonatal services nationwide.’

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Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, said: ‘This independent investigation is a crucial step in driving meaningful change in maternity and neonatal care, and the diverse range of trusts selected – including where previous investigations have taken place to incorporate learnings – will provide valuable insight to help teams across the country improve care for women, babies and families.

‘I want to reassure women and families that staff are continuing to work hard to provide the best possible care and want to do everything they can to support them. We would encourage them talk to their midwives and maternity teams if they have any concerns.’

Health secretary Wes Streeting added: ‘Families asked for fresh eyes, independence and compassion – and that’s why I’ve appointed Baroness Amos. Valerie has an outstanding record of leadership and driving change – nationally and internationally. She will work closely with families to uncover the truth, confront problems and drive the improvements needed so every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality care.’

Paul Rees, chief executive and registrar at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), said: ‘Every woman, baby and family has the right to safe, effective and compassionate care.

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‘We look forward to working with Baroness Amos and system partners to learn from this investigation and to help ensure safe and effective care becomes the norm everywhere.’

A version of this article was first published by our sister title, Healthcare Leader.