Report on NHS maternity care reveals discrimination and an overstretched workforce
The interim report provides an opportunity to reflect on how local health and care services can continue to improve for residents in Barking and Dagenham, as well as across England.
What is the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation?
The Maternity and Neonatal investigation is an independent review ordered by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting. Baroness Amos has been chosen to lead the investigation.
The investigation will look closely at maternity and neonatal services in 12 NHS trusts across England. Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust is one of these trusts. The investigation will also examine the wider maternity system to understand what needs to change nationally.
Importantly, the investigation will listen to the experiences of affected families and their representatives.
The goal is to create one clear set of national recommendations to:
- Improve maternity and newborn baby care across England
- Make services safer for mothers and babies
- Reduce inequalities in care
- Help families receive accountability and justice
What are the findings so far?
The Interim Report lists six main concerns around maternity and neonatal care:
- Some maternity services had to be reduced or paused due to staff shortages, causing delays and safety concerns.
- Poor teamwork, bullying and racism between staff were reported, and concerns were not always addressed by management.
- Structural racism and inequality led to worse outcomes for Black and Asian women, women from deprived areas, disabled women, Muslim women, refugees, asylum seekers and LGBT families.
- When baby loss or harm occurred, some families experienced a lack of compassion and openness, which added to their trauma.
- Some maternity units were based in outdated buildings, with inadequate or no private bereavement spaces.
- Staff reported there were not enough workers to provide consistently safe care.
Why This Matters for Barking and Dagenham residents:
We know that confidence in maternity and neonatal services differs across our borough. The findings of this investigation are likely to lead to new guidelines and changes in practice for maternity and neonatal care in Barking and Dagenham.
The call for evidence remains open
The call for evidence is open until 17th March for women and families, including fathers and non-birthing partners, about their experience of maternity or neonatal care in Barking and Dagenham and the rest of England. We encourage you to share your experience with the investigation, or support someone you know to share theirs.
You can complete the survey for the call for evidence here.
Sharing negative experiences of loss and care can be difficult. If you’re thinking about taking part in the survey, Sand’s (the UK’s main charity supporting families affected by stillbirth and the death of a newborn baby) have put together some information to help guide you through this.
More than 8,000 people have so far submitted evidence, with Baroness Amos meeting more than 400 families.
Our role as Healthwatch
As Barking and Dagenham’s independent champion for people who use health and social care services, we know how vital it is that people feel heard.
We look forward to receiving further developments about the future of this report and remain committed to sharing any learning relevant to our borough.
