An interim report from the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, chaired by Baroness Amos, has published today.
The report presents findings of seven visits to NHS Trusts and the experiences of 170 families.
Professor Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, commented:
“Baroness Amos’ interim report highlights the urgent need for improvement to ensure babies, women and families receive high quality and compassionate maternity care, and the tragic outcomes when this is not the case. For years, maternity units have had too few staff, too little time for training and lacked modern equipment and facilities, resulting in women and babies being harmed and staff leaving the workforce.
“The College is committed to supporting the rapid review process to deliver a safer service, improved outcomes for women and babies and a better-supported workforce. We welcome plans to produce a definitive set of recommendations that galvanises action, but urge the government to not to lose sight of funding and workforce shortages within this.”
The investigation aims to look at selected NHS Trusts but also across the entire maternity system, and to coalesce the findings of past maternity safety reviews into one national set of actions.
The RCOG welcomes the creation of the Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, which will be chaired by the Secretary of State for Health and Care and has RCOG named as a member. The main focus of the Taskforce will be to support the implementation of the recommendations from the national investigation.
The College supports maternity safety within the system through its role as an educator: developing the curriculum, raising standards of care through the development of clinical guidance, supporting the career development of clinicians through exams, professional development courses and events, and support services for its members. The College also delivers research and quality improvement programmes that contribute to improvements in maternity safety and as part of its influencing and advocacy activity, ensures system wide improvements are identified and delivered.
Further information:
- RCOG statement on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announcement on maternity care here.
- RCOG statement of the announcement of the Chair for the maternity and neonatal safety investigation here.
- RCOG statement following the announcement of the 14 Trusts involved in the maternity and neonatal safety investigation here.
- RCOG Maternity Safety programme, available here.
- Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth programme, available here.
- RCOG membership advice and support service information is available here.