A new report has uncovered widespread failures in NHS maternity services in England, including cover-ups, falsified medical records, and denial of answers to bereaved families. The investigation, led by Baroness Amos, found that hospitals often resort to secrecy after causing harm to women and babies during childbirth.
The report highlights ‘negligent’ care leading to devastating emotional and psychological consequences for families. It also notes that disputes among maternity staff have a ‘disastrous’ impact on mothers, and that ethnic minority and poorer women experience worse outcomes due to racism and discrimination.
Staff shortages are a key issue, causing delays in assessments, planned caesareans, and induced labour. Women are unable to have home births due to a lack of midwives, and antenatal appointments are too brief. After birth, mothers are sent home without proper assessment and struggle to get advice by phone.
Baroness Amos accused NHS trusts of compounding trauma by being secretive instead of truthful. One woman reported that ‘magical notes’ appeared three years after her daughter’s birth, which were inaccurate. The report also found trusts banning families from investigations, conducting poor-quality inquiries, and driving families to legal action to get the truth.
Paul Whiteing, chief executive of Action against Medical Accidents, said the evidence shows ‘shocking lengths’ some staff go to, such as hiding or falsifying records, to cover their tracks. He added that this highlights the scale of the challenge to improve maternity and neonatal care.
