In June, the UK Government announced a rapid review of maternity services across 14 NHS trusts in England, following widespread concerns about systemic failures in care.
While this initiative is positioned as a step toward improving safety and accountability, families affected by poor maternity care are voicing serious doubts about whether it will truly deliver justice.
A concerned individual, whose daughter was stillborn in 2022 after failings in her care by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, has spoken to the BBC this week about her concerns with the review.
An independent investigation by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) confirmed multiple failings in the care provided. Now, Lauren is speaking out—not just for herself, but as a member of the Maternity Safety Alliance, a group of families harmed by substandard maternity care.
A review that feels exclusionary
The individual and other members of the Maternity Safety Alliance have attended meetings with the Department of Health, but they say they’ve been left feeling “used.” Rather than being active participants in shaping the review, they’ve only received briefings about decisions already made.
“All we have had is briefing sessions and being told what they are going to do, rather than being part of this process,” The individual said.
She believes the review is “shallow and surface-level” and won’t address the deep-rooted issues that have plagued maternity services for years.
Accountability vs. optics
The review is expected to report back by December, a timeline many families feel is too short to allow for meaningful investigation or reform.
The individual argues that without a thorough, transparent process that includes the voices of affected families, the review risks becoming a tick-box exercise rather than a catalyst for real change.
“If I don’t push for improvements, no one will ever do anything about it,” she said.
Trusts respond—but is it enough?
Both Leeds and Bradford NHS Trusts have publicly supported the review.
Bradford’s Chief Executive acknowledged that while most women receive excellent care, “not always, and we know that isn’t good enough.”
Chief Medical Officer at Leeds echoed this sentiment, expressing sorrow for families who have suffered and pledging support for the investigation.
But for families like this individual’s, words of support are not enough. They want to see structural changes, accountability, and a genuine commitment to learning from past mistakes.
Comment
We absolutely understand the concerns highlighted by the individual and the many other families who have bravely spoken out about their experiences with maternity care in the UK.
The individual’s concerns highlight a deeply troubling reality: that systemic failings in maternity services continue to harm families, often with devastating consequences. While national reviews may signal progress, they must be more than symbolic; they must lead to real accountability, transparency, and change.
At Nelsons, we believe that families deserve more than apologies and promises. They deserve justice. We are committed to supporting those affected by clinical negligence in maternity care, helping them navigate the legal process with compassion and determination. Your voice matters, and we are here to ensure it is heard.
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Danielle Young is a Partner in our Medical Negligence team, which has been ranked in tier one by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500. She specialises in pregnancy and birth injury claims (including cerebral palsy), brain injury claims, fatal claims, surgical error claims, and cauda equina injury claims.
If you have any questions in relation to the subjects discussed in this article, then please get in touch with Danielle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
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