27/02/2026
The findings of the independent investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England, led by Baroness Amos, have sent shockwaves through the maternity community and for many women, they simply confirm what they have been saying for years.
Key findings:
➡️ A system where safety concerns were not always acted upon quickly enough
➡️ Women and families were not consistently listened to
➡ Inequalities in maternity outcomes, particularly for Black and Asian women and those in deprived areas
➡️Workforce shortages and burnout impacting quality of care
➡️A culture where learning from mistakes has been too slow
On voices from the frontline echoed these realities.
Rachael McGrath, Chair of the Birth Trauma Association, said the findings reflect women’s lived experiences, describing her own traumatic birth as leaving her in a physical and psychological crisis. She spoke of the bravery of women coming forward and the urgent need for meaningful change – because harm can last a lifetime.
Midwife Leah Hazard highlighted that more than 700 recommendations from previous reviews have largely been ignored, describing a “vast industrialised and broken system” and calling for truly holistic, person-centred care.
We do not share this to scare mums-to-be – far from it. Birth can be a wonderful, empowering experience for many. But for those who do suffer harm, we stand by you and will continue to fight for you.
This is why we support the call by Theo Clarke and Louise Thompson for a UK Maternity Commissioner, a petition that will be discussed in the House of Lords on 4 March, when Baroness Gohir asks why one has not yet been appointed.
Every day, our practitioners deliver specialist postnatal checks focused on pelvic health, recovery and long-term wellbeing, helping women who might otherwise fall through the gaps after birth. We also train healthcare professionals across the UK to raise standards in postnatal care and ensure women are listened to, assessed thoroughly and supported to recover physically and emotionally.
We will be watching closely. Because mothers deserve a system that protects them, listens to them, and learns from them.
Change cannot wait