"Fourteen NHS trusts are to have their maternity services examined over what has been described as "failures in the system", the government has said. The inquiries are part of a rapid review of maternity care in England that was announced in June. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said bereaved families had shown "extraordinary courage" in coming forward with issues dating back more than 15 years. Some of the families have severely criticised the review and Streeting's handling of it, describing the investigation as "not fit for purpose"."
"The NHS trusts that will be examined are: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Bradford Teaching Hospitals University Hospitals of Leicester Leeds Teaching Hospitals Sandwell and West Birmingham Gloucestershire Hospitals Yeovil District Hospital Oxford University Hospital University Hospitals Sussex Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Queen Elizabeth, Kings Lynn University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay East Kent Hospitals Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital"
"Baroness Amos, who will chair the review, said she was committed to ensuring "the lived experience of affected families are fully heard" and that the 14 investigations would allow her "to develop recommendations... that will drive improvements across maternity and neonatal services nationwide"."
"Streeting opted for the rapid review instead of a national inquiry into maternity care, which many families have been calling for. The review was due to be completed by December, but will now not report until Spring 2026. Baroness Amos says she will aim to produce interim findings around Christmas."
Fourteen NHS trusts will undergo focused investigations as part of a rapid review of maternity services in England following long-running concerns from bereaved families. Families have reported issues dating back more than 15 years and some have criticised the review and ministerial handling as inadequate. Baroness Amos will chair the review, commit to hearing lived experiences, and aim to develop recommendations to improve maternity and neonatal services nationwide. Research by Sands and Tommy's suggests improved care may have prevented over 800 baby deaths in 2022-23. The review timeline has been extended, with full reporting expected by Spring 2026 and interim findings aimed for Christmas.
Read at www.bbc.com
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