House of Commons · Westminster Hall
29 April 2025 · 9 other contributors · 9,882 words
Opened by Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab Clapham and Brixton Hill
Responding minister: Ashley Dalton
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy raised concerns about black maternal health awareness week in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The lead MP asks the Government to conduct a comprehensive study on racial disparities in maternity care and improve access to mental health support for black women. She also calls for better access to fertility treatment for black patients, noting that they are currently 25 times less likely to access such services.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The UK, despite being one of the safest countries for childbirth, has significant racial disparities in maternal care. Black women are three times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth compared to white women; they have higher miscarriage rates and are twice as likely to give birth prematurely. Additionally, 27% of respondents to Five X More’s survey felt that they received poor care during their pregnancy, labour, and postnatally.
Khan agrees with Ribeiro-Addy and emphasizes the need for more inclusive, high-quality care in perinatal mental health services to support black women.
Discussed the importance of reducing inequalities in maternity and neonatal care, focusing on ethnic minorities. Emphasized the Government’s commitment to developing a 10-year plan for health that includes maternity care and ensuring interventions are evidence-based, impactful, and dovetail with existing initiatives.
Challenged Dr Johnson's perspective, emphasizing that structural racism cannot be measured solely by the number of ethnic minority employees and pointed out discrepancies in maternal mortality figures between different societies. Responded to Dr Johnson's comments by challenging her perspective and arguing for the recognition of institutional racism in the healthcare system based on international comparisons.
As a clinician, Dr Johnson focuses on data showing that black women face a maternal mortality rate of 37.2 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 11.7. She asks what the Government is doing to understand and address these disparities.
Described difficulties in accessing interpreters and language services during her medical career. Asked how the Government would ensure that women with language barriers can access interpreters for out-of-hours emergencies. Asked whether the NHS is structurally or systemically racist, challenging the minister's response on systemic racism. Asked the Minister for a commitment to set a date by which an actionable target will be established, stressing the urgency of addressing racial disparities in maternal health.
Continued questioning the Government about their understanding of socioeconomic deprivation's impact on maternal mortality rates and requested information regarding the current status of NHS England’s maternity transformation programme. Replied to Bell Ribeiro-Addy, stating that any form of racism is reprehensible but disagreed with the assertion that NHS is institutionally racist based on personal experience.
The hon. Member for Chichester highlighted the extensive issues facing maternity services, noting that 65% of inspected units were not safe for women to give birth. She emphasised the need for a national framework addressing inequalities and the importance of recognising ethnicity as a risk factor in maternal care.
Black women often receive worse care and their risk of maternal death is three times higher than white women's, highlighting the need for urgent action to address systemic racism in maternity care. Asked Dr Johnson to specify which part of the NHS she worked in, questioning if her experiences reflected national accounts. Acknowledged improvements but noted that services are still not perfect.
Without a national target or framework, the same mistakes will be made again. The debate highlights figures that have been circulating for decades but only recently gained attention.
Government Response
Ashley DaltonThe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Tributed to charities working on black maternal health issues, thanked all Members for contributions. Mentioned Amber Lincoln's case highlighting racial biases in NHS care. Emphasised that the Government is considering setting targets to close maternal mortality gaps for black and Asian women based on evidence. Called for addressing inequalities beyond maternity services. Addressed concerns about racism in the NHS, emphasizing actions to tackle inequalities through training and system improvements. Mentioned £500 million funding call from NIHR for research on maternity inequalities and introduced initiatives like the perinatal culture and leadership programme.