Statement from the NHS Race and Health Observatory in response to the interim report from Baroness Amos, Chair of the independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation

Responding to interim findings of Maternity and Neonatal Services in England published today,  Professor Habib Naqvi, chief executive, NHS Race and Health Observatory, said:

“Baroness Amos’s interim report is shocking but not surprising. It highlights a broad range of concerns and ongoing, repeated failures which pregnant women, birthing people and families are too familiar with.

“Stark racial inequities in maternal outcomes are avoidable, and we know legal and moral obligations to tackle underlying racism and discrimination are not being met despite several maternity investigations and prior recommendations.

“Tackling racial inequalities in maternal and neonatal health is a key area of focus for the NHS Race and Health Observatory; we have delivered a 15-month Learning and Action Network, in collaboration with perinatal teams across England, and have developed an anti-racism approach to Quality Improvement (MFI-AR) for practitioners working in this area. We have also started a significant new programme to provide anti-racism training and support with regard to perinatal care across the NHS.

“We also know that only an engaged and fully supported workforce will lead to compassionate workplaces delivering optimal care, organisational efficiencies and, critically, better outcomes for all patients and communities. This interim review from Baroness Amos provides key comprehensive insights ahead of the publication of recommendations in the spring.

“Our evidence-based work is clear: failure to tackle racism and discrimination is harming people and costing the NHS additional money – there are human and financial costs to inaction on tackling racial inequalities for patients, communities and the NHS workforce. This is another moment in time for the NHS and the government to step-up on leadership, accountability and investment to tackle racial inequalities.”