Maternity Services

The MP thanked Jess Brown-Fuller for securing the debate, highlighting the challenges faced by Redditch maternity services which were relocated to Worcestershire Royal in 2017. The Member also raised concerns about future pressures due to population growth and urged a review of centralisation decisions.

Fundamentally, it is about giving kids the best start in life and giving mums the best care. Midwife-led units are important for choice, safety, and providing a calmer environment than big hospitals.

He stated that inadequate staffing at Frimley Park hospital remains a significant issue despite an outstanding CQC report. He emphasized the need for safe spaces where staff can have conversations and handovers can take place to retain nursing staff.

Points out the ongoing issues with poor maternity service ratings and highlights health inequalities for minority groups. Calls for better training and retention of midwives to improve services.

Discusses the importance of maternal mental health and the impact of gestation on lifelong health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care before birth.

Highlighted improvements in neonatal mortality rate since 2010, reducing by a quarter for babies born after at least 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Emphasised the importance of balancing acknowledgment of risks with quality care, highlighted instances of good-quality care alongside tragic cases. Mentioned issues such as unresponsive triage practices and lack of space in facilities.

She highlights the excellence of maternity services in her constituency but points out that infrastructure is not fit for purpose, with older hospital buildings making it harder to provide high standards of care. Suggested working with the Secretary of State for Education to roll out a successful T-level qualification in health with midwifery from La Retraite sixth form, which is linked up with Guy’s and St Thomas’.

Acknowledges the significant issues in NHS maternity services highlighted by various reports and investigations. Expresses anger over the lack of action despite government commitments to improve safety and staffing levels.

The Brontë birth centre in Dewsbury and Batley reopened after two years of closure due to staff shortages. There is a need for seamless obstetrician provision for midwife-led care if required, as transferring mothers with complications from Dewsbury to Wakefield increases risks.

He agreed that changing the way litigation is handled could improve patient safety, as staff often fear speaking out due to potential lawsuits or job loss.

Thanked Members for their constructive approach, mentioned that parents felt lessons were not learned from tragic events, and urged NHS trusts to contact parents directly.

Commends the debate's lead MP, sharing local perspective on Northern Ireland’s maternity care system. Highlights need for coordinated change in maternity care. Discussed collaboration with devolved Governments to ensure retention and recruitment challenges are addressed.

He notes that women's health is under-prioritised in the UK, with maternity services facing a crisis. The Royal College of Midwives has expressed concerns about safe staffing levels and investment needs.

Raises concerns about the lack of progress on an independent inquiry for Leeds following Dan and Fiona's tragic loss of their baby Aliona.

Charlotte gave birth to Norah who died suddenly due to inadequate care. Nearly two thirds of England’s maternity services are not safe enough according to the Care Quality Commission's figures.

The MP focused on the role of CQC in keeping maternity services safe, highlighting concerns about delays in releasing inspection reports which hinder efforts to improve services at Broomfield hospital.

Highlights the closure of Cheltenham General Hospital’s birth unit and the downgrade of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital’s maternity services to inadequate. Raises concerns about delays in CQC reporting.

Emphasized the importance of workforce and meeting safe levels of staffing in maternity care.

The MP expressed concern over the impact of centralised maternity services in Inverness on expectant mothers from remote areas such as Sutherland, Argyll, and Eigg.

Maternity services in East Worthing and Shoreham are inadequate, with all four units in the University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation trust rated as requiring improvement. Families have suffered devastating experiences due to failures in care, including stillbirths and tragic deaths from misdiagnosis and poor communication. Discussed meetings with families affected by maternity care issues.