Baroness Amos has released a scathing assessment on the reasons behind the high number of maternal and infant fatalities within NHS care, with a recurring issue coming to light once again.
In her comprehensive review of NHS maternity services nationwide, a familiar pattern emerges: mothers’ concerns were frequently disregarded when they expressed serious apprehensions. Instances where pregnant women contacted hospitals during labor to report issues like decreased fetal movement often went unheeded by midwives until it was too late.
A significant problem that persists is a dire consequence of ten years of austerity policies under the Tory government – severe understaffing. Wards operating with insufficient staff were hesitant to admit women in the early stages of labor.
Upon assuming power in 2024, the Labour government inherited an NHS with one of the lowest staff and hospital bed ratios per population across European health systems. The strain on staffing levels contributes to other critical issues highlighted in the Amos report, such as toxic work environments and harassment.
With a series of local investigations over the past decade exposing the same deficiencies, the responsibility now falls on the Labour party to take action.
Recently, a probe led by prominent midwife Donna Ockenden in Nottinghamshire revealed that 520 mothers and babies suffered harm or death due to substandard care. Similar failings were uncovered in Shropshire four years ago during an inquiry by Ms. Ockenden, while Dr. Bill Kirkup conducted reviews in East Kent in 2022 and Morecambe Bay in 2015, with almost 750 national recommendations stemming from these investigations. Despite these efforts, the systemic issues persist, leading to a two-decade high in maternal mortality rates.
In response to this crisis, the Labour government commissioned Baroness Amos to spearhead the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation in 2025 to consolidate existing guidance and catalyze comprehensive change.
Following a period of political instability after the Conservative administration, the Labour party’s declining popularity under Keir Starmer has led to frequent changes in the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care position since 2020.
The current health secretary, James Murray, succeeding Wes Streeting, faces the task of addressing the recommendations outlined in the Amos report, with the possibility of a swift turnover in his role under the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.
Burnham must ensure that Murray’s successor continues the efforts outlined in the report, as emphasized by Baroness Amos, who stresses the necessity of political determination to drive substantial transformation.
Any disruptions in leadership should not impede the crucial reforms needed in NHS maternity care. Delaying these reforms would dishonor the memory of countless women and infants who have suffered preventable harm within the NHS.
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