A damning interim report from the national investigation into England’s maternity services has exposed deep-rooted systemic failures affecting women, babies, and families across the National Health Service (NHS).

Led by Lady Amos, the report identified a troubling culture marked by insensitivity from maternity staff, racism and discrimination, chronic staff shortages, and serious allegations of institutional “cover-ups” when mistakes occur.

The investigation, announced by former health secretary Wes Streeting, was prompted by a series of major maternity scandals that exposed dangerous lapses in care and raised urgent concerns about patient safety and accountability across England’s healthcare system.

Among the most alarming cases cited was the five-year inquiry into Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, which found that hundreds of babies died or suffered brain damage due to substandard care.

Similarly, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was fined £1.6 million after failures linked to the deaths of three babies.

While the UK’s first national inquiry into birth trauma revealed widespread cases of women being ignored during complications, leaving many with permanent injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Drawing from evidence submitted by over 8,000 contributors—including healthcare staff, bereaved families, and expert panels—the investigation aims to establish nationwide reforms.

With a focus on improving neonatal safety and addressing persistent racial and socioeconomic inequalities in maternity care.

The report also highlights worsening maternal health outcomes, with the UK’s maternal death rate rising to 12.8 deaths per 100,000 maternities—a 20% increase since 2009–11—despite government commitments to reduce fatalities.

Inspections by the Care Quality Commission found that 36% of maternity services required improvement, while 12% were rated inadequate.

Stark disparities persist, with Black women three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, and women from deprived communities twice as likely to face fatal outcomes.

Staffing shortages have further strained services, leading to delayed procedures, inadequate prenatal consultations, and insufficient postnatal care.

Lady Amos concluded that without urgent structural reforms, improved staffing levels, and stronger accountability, the safety and dignity of maternity care across England will remain severely compromised.