National Maternity Investigation: Accountability and Reform

As we have previously highlighted, the Department of Health and Social Care have announced a rapid, independent investigation into maternity care in a landmark move aimed at transforming maternity and neonatal care across England. 

This investigation is to be led by Baroness Valerie Amos and seeks to address systemic failings that plague our maternity services. 

At Freeths, we welcome this decisive action and the potential for positive change for healthcare providers, patients and families.

This week further details regarding the scope of the investigation and the 14 NHS trusts that will be the focus, were announced. 

14 NHS Trusts Under Review

The Trusts selected span a diverse range of locations, demographics, and service types. They are:

1. Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust    
2. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust    
3. Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust    
4. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust    
5. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust    
6. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust    
7. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust    
8. Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust    
9. Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust    
10. Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust    
11. University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust    
12. University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust    
13. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust    
14. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust    

The Scope of the Investigation

Three of these trusts - Shrewsbury and Telford, East Kent, and Morecambe Bay—have previously been subject to investigations, and findings from those previous reviews will inform the scope of this new more wide-ranging review. 

Previous investigations exposed recurring issues such as:

• Ignored patient voices
• Overlooked safety concerns
• Toxic leadership cultures

The investigation will focus on understanding the lived experiences of mothers, fathers, and non-birthing partners and families, identifying patterns of failure, and recommending urgent improvements. Special attention will be paid to the inequalities faced by Black, Asian, and marginalised communities—groups whose concerns have historically been underrepresented.

Baroness Amos said:  “It is vital that the voices of mothers and families are at the heart of this investigation from the very beginning… 

We will pay particular attention to the inequalities faced by Black and Asian women and by families from marginalised groups, whose voices have too often been overlooked. 

Our aims are to ensure the lived experiences of affected families are fully heard, to conduct and publish 14 local investigations of maternity and neonatal services, and to develop recommendations informed by these that will drive improvements across maternity and neonatal services nationwide."

The investigation aims to include a review of service quality and safety, the impact of inequalities, and barriers to reform. Interim recommendations are expected by December 2025, with a final report to follow.

Alongside the investigation, a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce has been established to help the findings of the investigation inform practice, “maintain momentum and deliver change".