Statement in response to announcement of a national maternity investigation aimed at 14 NHS Trusts
Responding to publication of the full Terms of Reference for the maternal investigation into 14 NHS Trusts, Professor Habib Naqvi, chief executive officer, NHS Race and Health Observatory, said:
“The Observatory welcomes today’s update about the rapid national investigation, and we’re keen to help this critical work and to support Baroness Amos going forward.
“The need to tackle the inequities we see too often in maternal care outcomes is urgent, as is eradicating unwarranted and preventable failures.
“To do this in a meaningful way, it’s essential that we hear the voices and lived experiences of mothers, fathers, non-birthing partners, midwives and other maternal healthcare professionals. This will be of critical importance in learning lessons to avoid tragedies in the future. Ultimately, we must listen to pregnant women and mothers, and act upon what is heard.
“Maternal and neonatal health is a key workstream for the Observatory. We have co-produced evidence-based recommendations and practical resources which address stark racial inequalities in maternal and neonatal health.
“Last year, working with eight Integrated Care Systems across the country, we established an innovative peer-to-peer Learning and Action Network (LAN) to address the severe gaps seen in maternal morbidity, perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity between women of different ethnic groups. We will continue to work towards ensuring we have maternity and neonatal services that are caring, compassionate and fit for all communities.”
The Terms of Reference for the national maternity investigation can be viewed on the link below:
Further details on the Maternity and Neonatal Learning and Action Network can be found here:
Maternal and Neonatal Learning and Action Network (LAN) – NHS – Race and Health Observatory