National maternity inquiry announced following widespread failings across NHS trusts

Posted: 26/06/2025

The UK government has announced a national inquiry into maternity care in England, following a series of high-profile failings across several NHS trusts. The inquiry will examine systemic problems in maternity services, and aims to identify areas for improvement to ensure safer care for mothers and babies.

The inquiry is set to begin this summer, with the first report due in December 2025. The 10 most concerning maternity and neonatal care units will be investigated first, followed by a system-wide investigation, with a view to creating a set of actions to improve care across the UK.

The 10 most concerning trusts have not yet been named but are likely to include trusts already under separate review, such as Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), Shrewsbury and Telford, and East Kent. These trusts have been involved in cases where serious incidents, including stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and maternal injuries have occurred, prompting concern about the quality and consistency of maternity care. Earlier this year, NUH was given a record £1.6 million fine following failings that led to the deaths of several babies.

A recent review by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of 131 maternity units found that nearly half were rated as inadequate or requiring improvement, with 65% failing on safety. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting described the failures in UK maternity care as a 'national shame' and acknowledged that the current system has not consistently met the standards expected by patients and families.

The CQC report highlighted several recurring issues:

• staffing shortages and lack of experienced personnel;
• delays in emergency procedures, including caesarean sections;
• concerns about hygiene and patient dignity;
• inadequate pain relief and faulty equipment;
• communication barriers and discrimination;
• organisational culture and leadership challenges.

The recent announcement follows sustained calls for a national inquiry from families, campaigners, and legal professionals. In 2023, the Maternity Safety Alliance published an open letter urging the government to launch a statutory public inquiry, arguing that local investigations had not led to meaningful change and that a national approach was needed to address systemic issues.

As a firm that supports families affected by maternity care failings, we recognise the importance of this inquiry in identifying patterns of concern and informing future improvements.  It represents a significant step towards greater accountability and transparency in maternity services.

Families affected by maternity care issues may wish to seek legal advice to understand their options. Our specialist team is available to provide guidance and support in navigating these complex and sensitive matters.

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