Rebecca Beesley
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Solicitor | Medical Negligence
National Maternity Investigation Launched to Improve NHS Care After Series of Scandals
The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that a national maternity investigation has been launched to drive improvements in NHS maternity care and neonatal services.
The investigation aims to identify systemic failures over the past 15 years and recommend immediate changes to protect patients and rebuild trust.
Why This Investigation Is Needed
Over recent years, several high-profile maternity scandals have emerged across NHS Trusts — including Shrewsbury & Telford, East Kent, and Nottingham. While most births under NHS care are safe, some have tragically resulted in:
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Avoidable infant deaths
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Maternal deaths
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Babies suffering from life-changing brain injuries
Common themes uncovered in these scandals include poor communication, leadership failures, and a lack of patient safety culture.
Bereaved Families Demand Accountability
Despite the NHS’s legal duty of candour, many bereaved parents allege they were ‘gaslit’, and denied answers, accountability and compassion. Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:
“For the past year, I have been meeting bereaved families from across the country who have lost babies or suffered serious harm during what should have been the most joyful time in their lives.
What they have experienced is devastating – deeply painful stories of trauma, loss, and a lack of basic compassion – caused by failures in NHS maternity care that should never have happened. Their bravery in speaking out has made it clear: we must act – and we must act now. ”
Streeting also emphasised that maternity care should be the litmus test by which the government is judged on patient safety, pledging urgent action and collaboration with NHS staff to make improvements.
What the Investigation Will Cover
The national investigation will initially target up to 10 of the poorest-performing maternity and neonatal units, including those in:
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Sussex
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Leeds
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Gloucester
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Essex
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Mid and South Essex
These initial reviews will begin in summer 2025, aiming to urgently uncover the true nature and extent of the failings within these services.
Beyond individual Trusts, the investigation will take a system-wide approach:
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Reviewing maternity and neonatal services nationally
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Consolidating findings from previous inquiries
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Producing a single national action plan to deliver consistent, safe, and compassionate care across England.
Timeline and Accountability Measures
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Findings and recommendations are expected by December 2025
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A new National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce will oversee reforms;
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The Taskforce will include clinicians, medical experts, campaigners, and bereaved families
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A national maternity dashboard will also be introduced later this year to assist in identifying patterns of concern at an early stage so that appropriate action can be implemented
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Special focus will be given to addressing health inequalities, particularly among Black, Asian, and working-class women
Sir Jim Mackey, CEO of NHS England, said:
“This rapid national investigation must mark a line in the sand… Transparency will be key to understanding variation and fixing poor care.”
Why This Matters for You
Better maternity care reduces risks not just to mothers and babies but also to NHS liability. Preventing avoidable harm can significantly reduce clinical negligence claims in the future.
However, for many families, these reforms come too late.
If You’ve Been Affected
If you’re concerned about the quality of maternity or neonatal care you or your child received, our specialist birth injury solicitors may be able to help you explore a claim for compensation.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
Contact us Find out moreFurther Reading
You can read the full government press release on the national maternity investigation here: Read the official announcement.