A new national ‘rapid review’ into maternity care
The Government has launched an independent investigation into maternity and newborn services in England. This follows long-standing concerns about safety and culture in some NHS maternity units. The review will focus on 14 hospital trusts and will prioritise the voices of families who have experienced harm. Its purpose is to make maternity care safer, kinder and more consistent across the country.
Why the rapid review of maternity care is happening
Over the past decade, several high-profile inquiries have uncovered serious failings in maternity care:
- The Morecambe Bay inquiry (2015) found that poor teamwork and a “them and us” culture between midwives and doctors contributed to avoidable deaths of mothers and babies.
- The Ockenden review into Shrewsbury and Telford (2022) exposed widespread failings spanning 20 years, including cases where women were denied caesarean sections when clinically necessary.
- The East Kent review (2022) reported that dozens of babies might have survived with better care, highlighting a culture in which parents’ concerns were frequently dismissed.
- The Nottingham maternity review (launched 2022, still ongoing) is one of the largest maternity investigations in the UK. It is examining more than 1,700 cases of potential harm, with early findings again pointing to poor communication, failure to listen to mothers, and damaging cultural issues.
Although each inquiry has made recommendations, many families and campaigners believe lessons have not been acted on quickly enough. This new national review aims to identify recurring problems across hospitals and drive consistent, lasting change.
What is a rapid review, and how is it different from previous maternity investigations?
A “rapid review” is designed to move quickly, delivering early answers rather than waiting years for a single final report. Each trust will be examined individually, but findings will also be combined to make national recommendations.
- Interim findings are expected in December 2025.
- Further updates will follow to ensure that learning translates into action without delay.
This approach is intended to end the pattern of families waiting years before improvements are made, giving NHS leaders a clearer picture of what must be fixed urgently.
What the rapid review into maternity care will cover
The investigation will examine:
- The quality and safety of maternity and neonatal services in 14 NHS trusts.
- Whether women and families feel listened to and respected.
- The influence of leadership and workplace culture on frontline care.
- Inequalities in outcomes, especially for Black and Asian women and those from deprived backgrounds.
Importantly, families who have lost babies or experienced harm will be invited to share their stories. Their experiences will guide the review, rather than being treated as background evidence.
The 14 trusts under investigation as part of the rapid review
The review will cover the following hospital trusts, each selected because of concerns raised about maternity care:
- Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust / Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
What this means for families
For women who are pregnant now, the review is not a reason to panic. The vast majority of births in England are safe, and maternity staff are dedicated to the wellbeing of mothers and babies. However, the investigation is a reminder that if something feels wrong, women should feel confident to speak up. Concerns can be raised with midwives, doctors, or hospital complaints teams.
The ultimate aim is to deliver:
- Clearer national standards.
- More consistent training.
- A culture where mothers’ voices are always heard and respected.
For families who have suffered loss or harm, the review also represents an opportunity to ensure their experiences finally help shape systemic change.
Looking ahead
The review will be led by Baroness Valerie Amos, working closely with bereaved families and frontline staff. A new national taskforce on maternity and neonatal care has also been established to ensure that findings lead to meaningful improvements.
While full answers will take time, the “rapid review” format means that changes should begin sooner rather than later. Many families will be watching closely to see whether this investigation finally delivers the lasting change that previous inquiries have promised but not secured.
How Davies and Partners can help
At Davies and Partners Solicitors, our clinical negligence team specialises in maternity and neonatal care cases. We have supported many families affected by failings, helping them secure answers and compensation where harm could have been avoided.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by poor maternity care, or if your experience relates to one of the trusts under review, please contact our team. We are here to listen, advise, and guide you through your options with care and sensitivity.