Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Maternity Care

Wednesday 3 September 2025 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mohammad Yasin questioned the Minister about cuts to birthing service choices and requested guarantees for improved outcomes in maternity care.
  • Alison Bennett inquired if the Minister would consider appointing Donna Ockenden to lead a review following the calls of Sussex families.
  • Sarah Owen asked about cross-departmental work to improve maternity care across NHS trusts and was informed about the establishment of the maternity and neonatal national taskforce.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
NHS
Context

Bedford hospital's maternity services were downgraded to 'inadequate', and its home birth service was reduced. The question focuses on these specific issues.

Question

Will the Minister ensure that the review examines why choices for birthing services are still being cut? Will he guarantee improved outcomes in maternity and perinatal care, so that all women can access safe, personalised, high-quality care?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

My hon. Friend is a strong campaigner on this issue for his constituents. The Care Quality Commission has committed to monitoring maternity services at Bedford hospitals closely, including through further inspections, to ensure that people receive safe care while improvements are implemented.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Guarantee of improved outcomes in perinatal care not addressed directly

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Q2 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
NHS
Context

Sussex families are calling for Donna Ockenden to lead the maternity care review.

Question

Does the Minister agree that listening to the voices of bereaved families who have lost their babies is of essential importance? If he does, will he listen to the calls of Sussex families to appoint Donna Ockenden to lead their review?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

I agree that it is vital to listen to those voices; it will not be possible to get to the bottom of why care is not of an acceptable standard without hearing those voices. I have heard what the hon. Lady has said about Donna Ockenden and I will certainly take that away to discuss with ministerial colleagues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Appointment of Donna Ockenden not confirmed

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Q3 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
NHS
Context

Luton and Dunstable hospital’s maternity unit has been downgraded to ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission.

Question

Does the Minister agree with me that mothers and babies deserve better? What cross-departmental work is taking place to ensure that NHS trusts across the country improve maternity care?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

My hon. Friend is campaigning strongly for her constituents on this issue. We are establishing the maternity and neonatal national taskforce, which will develop a national plan to drive improvements across maternity and neonatal care. It will be chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and made up of a panel of experts, and family, charity and staff representatives.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific cross-departmental work details not provided

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Q4 Tessa Munt Lib Dem Wells and Mendip Hills
NHS
Context

Post-maternity complications such as female pelvic prolapse are a concern, with lack of answers on surgical mesh implant issues.

Question

Will the Minister work with his counterparts at the Department of Health and Social Care to get a realistic update on exactly what has happened as a result of the Hughes report, and give me the information about meetings between the Department and the Patient Safety Commissioner about progress on those recommendations?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

I will absolutely raise the issue with colleagues in the Department and we will write to the hon. Lady urgently with the answers she is looking for.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No immediate update on Hughes report progress provided

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Q5 Mims Davies Con East Grinstead and Uckfield
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

Theo Clarke and Rosie Duffield’s report recommended a national maternity strategy, but progress is seen as slow.

Question

How will the Minister address ongoing and widespread concerns, which we have heard again in the Chamber, react to the existing evidence and stop the belief that many women are being failed by this Labour Government?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

I really do find it a bit rich that the Conservatives stand there and try to lecture us after the 14 years of neglect and incompetence that were the trademark of their time in government. Baroness Amos is chairing the independent maternity and neonatal investigation, which will be a rapid investigation with two core roles: to conduct urgent reviews by the end of this year of up to 10 trusts where there are specific issues; and to conduct a systemic investigation into maternity and neonatal care in England.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Addressing concerns directly not fully addressed

How: Conservative Neglect During Their Time In Government

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