Black women in England are facing significant disparities and being overlooked in maternity care, according to a recent warning issued by Members of Parliament (MPs).
The Health and Social Committee’s investigation highlighted that racism is a key factor contributing to these disparities, alongside systemic deficiencies in leadership, training, data management, and accountability.
Recent data indicates that Black women are 2.3 times more likely to experience adverse outcomes in pregnancy, childbirth, or the postnatal period compared to White women.
The committee’s report labels the neglect of addressing deep-rooted inequalities in maternity care as unjust, emphasizing the substantial human and systemic costs associated with it.
MPs acknowledged that the shortcomings in care for Black women are occurring within a broader failing maternity system affecting women across the board.
Notably, the National Health Service (NHS) in England has paid out £27.4 billion in maternity malpractice claims since 2019, surpassing the total budget for maternity services during the same period.
Paulette Hamilton, the interim chair of the committee, emphasized the necessity for a healthcare workforce that actively listens to, comprehends, and respects the needs of Black women for ensuring safe maternal care. She stressed the importance of adequately equipping and resourcing maternal services, effective leadership, and accountability.
In response to the situation, the committee has called upon the Department of Health and Social Care to collaborate with key healthcare bodies to implement mandatory cultural competency training for midwives, informed directly by the experiences of Black women.
Furthermore, a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, led by Health Secretary Wes Streeting and comprising experts and bereaved families, has been established to address these issues. The investigation is set to conclude in December.