Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announces national investigation of maternity and neonatal services

There is a saying that some action is better than no action. Today, at a speech to the Royal College of Midwives, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, announced a Darzi investigation into the state of the NHS, regarding maternity and neonatal services to report by Christmas 2025.

He stated it will be “an evidence-based investigation setting out what is going wrong and priorities for action. It will look in detail at up to 10 maternity units that are giving us the greatest cause for concern. It will report directly to me by Christmas”.

He also went on to further say that the investigation team, in terms of reference, will be co-produced with the victims of maternity scandals. Arguably, as we see in representing many families nationwide, maternity failures happen throughout the NHS. What is important to see from this is that there is a real commencement of joined-up action.

We have seen such reports as Bill Kirkup in East Kent, Donna Ockenden in Shrewsbury, and also Morecombe Bay. Commissioning individualised enquiries is important to look at the recurring themes, inequalities and systemic and cultural failings within the NHS. Whilst they are important, it is clear that they have not led to a safer global maternity system, and often can direct other Trusts to be reassured about their own track record. It can often deny introspection when specific Trusts are not in the limelight. Those 10 Trusts have not been publicly identified, but it is possibly further to his speech to encompass Nottingham, Leeds and Sussex.

Of importance in his speech was also the very clear social and economic inequalities faced by those accessing maternity services, and in particular, black and Asian women. In his speech, he noted that black women are two to three times more likely to die during pregnancy or shortly after birth than white women. In fact, the charity and advocacy group Five Times More states, as their name suggests, it is even more. The strength that comes from change and impacting change in maternity will have a profound change on the future of families accessing services and children not harmed.

There was also mention in the speech about denial of liability and public culpability.

Natalie Cosgrove, Partner in our Medical Negligence department, says: “This is a very positive step in the right direction and some change and improvement is better than none. Whilst some will clearly be disappointed that a statutory public inquiry has not been granted in relation to maternity, an acknowledgement for all harmed families that their harm was not in vain is a vital step. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this report will be in some 6 months’ time. It is important that those who are harmed feel empowered but also heard. A safer maternity system is an acknowledgement to those families who have been harmed that their campaigning and their harm and ongoing deep grief is not for nothing. For the families of the future who are yet to access maternity services, we can only hope that the themes and conclusions from this investigation lead to a better and safer NHS. I hope this is positive, accountable and real action that we are now seeing.”

Contact our medical negligence solicitors today

If you believe we can assist you when pursuing a Medical Negligence claim, please get in contact with us on 0330 191 4835 or fill out our online enquiry form.

Our experienced team of lawyers will be able to offer advice and guide you through every step of the claims process, and our in-house client support and rehabilitation team can help support you through your recovery.