UK Maternity Taskforce and NHS Investment
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Hannah Emerson
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Government Launches Taskforce and Investment in Maternity Care
Following the publication of Baroness Amos’s Interim Report on Maternity and Neonatal Services in England last month, the government has announced that a taskforce has been set up with immediate effect to deliver urgent action on maternity care. For context on the first publication last month, see our earlier coverage of Baroness Amos’s interim findings here.
The new Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce chaired by the Health and Social Care Secretary will work to act on the recommendations of Baroness Amos’s final report due in June 2026.
The expert panel includes families, senior NHS leaders, royal colleges, campaigners, academics and third sector representatives, selected by the government working with harmed and bereaved families to ensure that their perspectives were reflected.
£25 million to be invested into NHS maternity care
This announcement is accompanied by a £25 million investment in NHS Trusts to tackle the leading causes of maternal death, enhance bereavement facilities and improve triage services for women who experience unexpected complications during their pregnancy.
This follows Baroness Amos’s interim report which found inconsistencies in spaces and support available to bereaved families. The report detailed the limited spaces some bereaved parents were offered within NHS hospitals, where some bereaved parents had to share wards and receive care with other women in active labour. As a result, £9 Million will be invested across 40 Trusts to enhance bereavement facilities.
Baroness Amos’s report also discussed the concerning rise in the maternal mortality rate from 8.8 (per 100,000 maternities) to 12.8 (per 100,000 maternities) in the periods 2017 – 2019 and 2022 – 2024. £5 million has been allocated to rolling out the Maternal Care Bundle by the end of this year. This bundle covers best practice standards across 5 areas of care that tackle the leading causes of maternal death, epilepsy, haemorrhage and mental health.
The usual port of call for an expectant mother experiencing any concern or unexpected complications would be their local maternity triage service; however Baroness Amos’s interim report described an inability to access these services by phone, long wait times or women being sent home without a thorough assessment. £11 million will be invested to improve these services.
Looking Forward
As solicitors specialising in medical negligence, we are all too often witnesses to how profoundly families are affected by sub-standard maternity and neonatal care across the NHS. The impact of these failings is life-changing, and we see the consequences every day in the experiences of our clients.
The announcement that further funding and attention will be directed towards maternity and neonatal services is therefore welcome. We look forward to the final report of Baroness Amos in June, which will hopefully continue to highlight these systemic issues and help drive the urgent reforms needed to ensure safer, more consistent care for all families.
How we can help
For families affected by sub-standard maternity or neonatal care, the Osbornes Law medical negligence team is here to provide expert, compassionate support. Our specialists solicitors have extensive experience handling maternity negligence claims, ensuring your voice is heard and your case is pursued with the highest standards of care and professionalism. Get in touch by:
- completing our online enquiry form;
- or calling us on 020 7485 8811
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