Archive · 9 Dec 2025
NHS Maternity Care Facing Systemic Failures
The NHS maternity care in England is facing serious problems.
Baroness Amos, who is leading an investigation, found that many families are not getting the care they need.
There have been many recommendations to improve things, but the problems are still happening.
Some hospitals focus too much on natural births, which can be dangerous.
Many midwives and doctors don't talk to each other enough, and families' concerns are often ignored.
Some people think the investigation won't lead to real changes, and they want stronger actions to hold people accountable.
The main issue is a culture that doesn't allow people to speak up about mistakes.
Baroness Amos found 'unacceptable care' in NHS maternity services, with 748 recommendations made in recent years.
Common issues include disregard for women's concerns, discrimination against women of color, and prejudice against working-class and younger parents.
65% of England's maternity units need improvement or are inadequate, indicating a systemic cultural problem.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust's focus on 'normal birth' ideology led to high rates of stillbirths and newborn deaths.
Public inquiries have exposed systemic issues like poor communication, reluctance to learn from mistakes, and a blame culture preventing open discussion of errors.
- Who
- Baroness Amos, NHS trusts, maternity units, midwives, obstetricians, families
- What
- Systemic failures in NHS maternity care, including discrimination and poor communication
- When
- Ongoing, with investigation report due in spring
- Where
- England, specifically 12 NHS trusts
- Why
- Cultural issues, systemic problems, and a blame culture preventing open communication about mistakes
- Investigation Leader
- Baroness Amos
- Number of Recommendations
- 748
- Maternity Units Needing Improvement
- 65%
- Leeds Trust's Caesarean Rate
- Lowest in the country (2012-2023)
- Leeds Trust's Stillbirth/Death Rate
- Highest in the country (2012-2023)
- Midwifery Courses Promoting Normality
- Almost two-thirds
- NHS Staff Comfortable Speaking Up
- Less than two-thirds
- Investigation Report Due
- Spring