England to appoint first maternity commissioner after review finds failings
8 reported
The UK government will appoint a maternity and neonatal commissioner for England after a review by Valerie Amos found the system is "no longer fit" to consistently deliver safe, compassionate care. Health Secretary James Murray announced the move in response to Amos's government-commissioned inquiry, which identified poor care, a failure to listen to women, and racism and discrimination as systemic problems. The commissioner will pursue hospitals over persistent failures and co-chair a national taskforce with the health secretary. Amos's report is the second in less than a week to recommend a dramatic overhaul, following Donna Ockenden's inquiry into the Nottingham maternity scandal. Amos made eight main recommendations, including overhauling maternity triage services, giving families the right to independent investigations, and replacing the NHS compensation system. The report noted that stillbirths and neonatal deaths are at near-record lows but progress has stalled since 2020. One of Amos's clinical advisers, Dr Bill Kirkup, resigned hours before publication over a disagreement about the report's section on "normal birth ideology."
What’s reported
A maternity and neonatal commissioner will be appointed for England, the first such role in the UK.
The appointment follows Valerie Amos's government-commissioned review of maternity care.
Health Secretary James Murray announced the move.
Amos's 181-page report concluded the system is "no longer fit" and requires urgent reform.
The report found poor care, failure to listen to women, and racism and discrimination.
Amos made eight recommendations, including overhauling triage, independent investigations, and replacing the compensation system.
Stillbirths and neonatal deaths are at near-record lows but progress has stalled since 2020.
Clinical adviser Dr Bill Kirkup resigned hours before publication over a disagreement on "normal birth ideology."
Key figures
Valerie Amos: Labour peer, former cabinet minister, author of the review.
James Murray: Health secretary.
Donna Ockenden: Author of the Nottingham maternity scandal inquiry, widely expected to become commissioner.
Dr Bill Kirkup: Clinical adviser to Amos, resigned over "normal birth ideology" wording.
Sources: The Guardian
