Severe Failings in NHS Maternity Care Prompt Urgent Review and New Safety Measures
Published 8 December 2025
Highlights
- A national review led by Baroness Valerie Amos reveals severe failings in NHS maternity care, with systemic issues persisting despite previous recommendations.
- The investigation highlights discrimination against women of color, working-class women, and those with mental health issues, leading to tragic outcomes.
- A new warning system, the Maternity Outcomes Signal System (Moss), is being implemented to detect and address poor care in NHS maternity wards.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasizes the urgent need for improvements, acknowledging the courage of affected families in sharing their experiences.
- The final report from the ongoing investigation is expected in Spring, with comprehensive recommendations for enhancing maternity and neonatal services.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Severe Failings in NHS Maternity Care Prompt Urgent Review and New Safety Measures
A national investigation into NHS maternity services has uncovered alarming levels of inadequate care, with systemic issues persisting despite numerous prior recommendations for improvement. Led by Baroness Valerie Amos, the review highlights the dire state of maternity care across England, revealing that many women and families have suffered due to preventable tragedies.
Systemic Failures and Discrimination
Baroness Amos, who chairs the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation (NMNI), expressed shock at the scale of the failings. Her interim report, based on visits to seven NHS trusts and discussions with over 170 families, outlines a troubling pattern of neglect and discrimination. Women of color, working-class women, and those with mental health challenges have been disproportionately affected, often receiving substandard care. The report also notes instances where women who lost babies were placed in wards with newborns, exacerbating their trauma.
New Safety Measures Introduced
In response to these findings, NHS England is rolling out a new safety system known as the Maternity Outcomes Signal System (Moss). This innovative tool will monitor and compare data on maternal and infant deaths and injuries across NHS wards in real-time. Developed in collaboration with experts like Dr. Bill Kirkup and Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter, Moss aims to provide early warnings of poor care, prompting immediate safety checks and interventions.
Government Response and Future Steps
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who commissioned the review, acknowledged the courage of families who shared their distressing experiences. He emphasized the urgent need for systemic change, stating, "The systemic failures causing preventable tragedies cannot be ignored." The final report from Baroness Amos is expected in Spring, with comprehensive recommendations to improve maternity and neonatal services.
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Scenario Analysis
The findings from the ongoing investigation could lead to significant reforms in NHS maternity services. If the recommendations are implemented effectively, they may enhance the quality of care and reduce preventable tragedies. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that these changes are sustained over time. The introduction of Moss is a promising step, but its success will depend on rigorous implementation and oversight. As the final report is awaited, stakeholders will be keenly observing how the NHS and government respond to these pressing issues.
A national investigation into NHS maternity services has uncovered alarming levels of inadequate care, with systemic issues persisting despite numerous prior recommendations for improvement. Led by Baroness Valerie Amos, the review highlights the dire state of maternity care across England, revealing that many women and families have suffered due to preventable tragedies.
Systemic Failures and Discrimination
Baroness Amos, who chairs the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation (NMNI), expressed shock at the scale of the failings. Her interim report, based on visits to seven NHS trusts and discussions with over 170 families, outlines a troubling pattern of neglect and discrimination. Women of color, working-class women, and those with mental health challenges have been disproportionately affected, often receiving substandard care. The report also notes instances where women who lost babies were placed in wards with newborns, exacerbating their trauma.
New Safety Measures Introduced
In response to these findings, NHS England is rolling out a new safety system known as the Maternity Outcomes Signal System (Moss). This innovative tool will monitor and compare data on maternal and infant deaths and injuries across NHS wards in real-time. Developed in collaboration with experts like Dr. Bill Kirkup and Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter, Moss aims to provide early warnings of poor care, prompting immediate safety checks and interventions.
Government Response and Future Steps
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who commissioned the review, acknowledged the courage of families who shared their distressing experiences. He emphasized the urgent need for systemic change, stating, "The systemic failures causing preventable tragedies cannot be ignored." The final report from Baroness Amos is expected in Spring, with comprehensive recommendations to improve maternity and neonatal services.
What this might mean
The findings from the ongoing investigation could lead to significant reforms in NHS maternity services. If the recommendations are implemented effectively, they may enhance the quality of care and reduce preventable tragedies. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that these changes are sustained over time. The introduction of Moss is a promising step, but its success will depend on rigorous implementation and oversight. As the final report is awaited, stakeholders will be keenly observing how the NHS and government respond to these pressing issues.
