National Maternity Review: The Need for Learning and Safer Care

A response from Ashtons Legal, with Partner Natalie Cosgrove

The Government has today announced 14 NHS Trusts that will be included in a new national maternity investigation, including three Trusts that have already undergone investigation.

These are hospitals where there have been longstanding concerns about maternity and neonatal care. However, as a firm that represents families across the UK, we see issues in maternity and neonatal care afforded to families nationwide, and the distress of those families whose experiences will not be included in this review will be palpable. A sense of “whose care was worse than others” can create rifts within a group of families whose trauma and grief is already amplified.

With the spotlight firmly on maternity safety for some time, it is often hoped that some reviews are not required, but despite many investigations, reviews and reports going back to the Morecambe Bay Investigation in 2015, implementation of meaningful change is yet to be seen.

At Ashtons Legal, we act for families with cases involving several of the Trusts on the list. We know the difference safe care makes, and we see the lasting consequences when things go wrong. For those families, this Investigation represents an opportunity for lessons to be learned, provided the focus remains on improving services for mothers and babies.

“Every family that contributes to this process does so in the hope that care for others will be safer in the future. The emphasis must be on listening, learning and supporting meaningful improvements in maternity care,” says Natalie Cosgrove, Partner at Ashtons Legal.

The question of time

The Investigation has already been extended to Spring 2026. While it is important that evidence is gathered carefully, there is a risk that families who are still processing very difficult experiences may struggle to engage in time. Ensuring that all voices can be heard is essential if the Investigation is to achieve its purpose. Often, families have a sense of gratitude that they ‘survived’ and when faced with this Investigation, many may now start to wonder if their survival could have been avoided and they should have had better care. That leads to questions, soul searching and the relapsing for many, for whom there needs careful support and management.

Clarity and communication will be important to avoid any sense that concerns are being overlooked.

Looking ahead

This Investigation adds to previous investigations into maternity safety. The challenge now is to ensure that recommendations translate into better practice on the ground – in working environments, management and culture, staffing, training, communication and support for families.

At Ashtons Legal, our concern is that only a process with the ability to ensure implementation will deliver the change that is needed. Whether that comes from this Investigation or a broader national inquiry, the priority must remain the same: safer care for mothers and babies, and meaningful listening to and learning from the experiences of families.

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