An interim update from the national investigation into maternity and neonatal care in England has highlighted persistent and widespread concerns about the safety, quality, and consistency of care experienced by women, birthing people, babies, and their families.
This follows our earlier coverage of the announcement of the national maternity inquiry in June and the naming of 14 affected NHS Trusts in October.
Experiences of Families Highlight Systemic Failings Across NHS Trusts
The chair of the review, Baroness Amos, stated that while she anticipated hearing difficult accounts, the extent of distress and harm described by families was far beyond expectations. Despite extensive work carried out since 2015 — including independent inquiries, regulatory reviews, and hundreds of recommendations for improvement — the interim report highlights that cultural and systemic change in maternity and neonatal services has not occurred.
Care remains unacceptable and unsafe, leading to devastating consequences for babies, mothers, birthing people, and their families.
Over 170 family members have contributed to the investigation so far, with recurring themes including:
- Women feeling dismissed or unable to influence decisions about their care.
- Reports of discrimination affecting outcomes for women of colour, younger parents, and those with mental health challenges.
- Gaps in basic standards of care and communication.
- Birth plans not being followed and some families placed in unsuitable environments after loss.
Next Steps: Call for Evidence and Upcoming Recommendations
A national call for evidence will open in January 2026, inviting contributions from women, families, fathers, and non-birthing partners. Baroness Amos will also gather further evidence from local hospital site visits of the named Trusts, as well as from NHS workers and national organisations including the Care Quality Commission (CQC), General Medical Council (GMC), Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigation Programme (MNSI), NHS England, and the Royal Colleges of Midwives and Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.
Baroness Amos is expected to publish her initial findings in February 2026, with the final report due in Spring 2026. The investigation aims to deliver a single set of national recommendations to improve the safety and experience of maternity and neonatal care.
Expert Comment
Charlotte Moore, Partner and Maternity and Birth Injury Solicitor, comments:
“Whilst the update from Baroness Amos is welcome, it adds little further information to that which we already know from the hundreds of families that we act for in birth injury claims against hospital Trusts around the country. We have a national problem in delivering safe and compassionate care for babies, mothers, birthing people, and their families—a problem that has been highlighted for decades by brave families who have experienced tragic consequences as a result of poor care. Yet despite 748 previous recommendations, change has not occurred. Baroness Amos must now deliver clear and transformative recommendations which will have the power to force a national shift to delivering safe care.”
If you or a loved one has experienced harm due to unsafe or negligent maternity or neonatal care, our experienced team of birth injury solicitors can provide expert advice and support.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation to understand your options.
