National investigation into maternity care announced

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a national investigation into maternity care in England.

The “rapid” inquiry will urgently look at the worst-performing maternity and neonatal services in the country, including Leeds, Sussex, Gloucester, and Mid and South Essex.

Streeting has met parents who have lost babies in a series of maternity scandals at some NHS trusts and said the investigation would “make sure these families get the truth and the accountability they deserve”.

It will begin this summer and report back by December 2025.

The review will look across the entire maternity system, bringing together the findings of past reviews into a clear national set of actions to ensure every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality and compassionate care.

Making the announcement on Monday, Streeting apologised on behalf of the NHS to those families who had suffered avoidable harm.

It comes after a series of maternity scandals, including in Morecambe Bay, East Kent, Shrewsbury and Telford and Nottingham.

Streeting said the review would be co-produced with the victims of maternity scandals, giving families a voice into how the inquiry is run.

He said he wants to ensure “no parent or baby is ever let down again”.