England’s maternity and neonatal services failings are ‘much worse’ than anticipated the chair of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation (NMNI) has warned.
Baroness Valerie Amos’s comments appear in a report summarising her early reflections and findings following engagement with families, visits to seven NHS trusts, discussions with staff and conversations with national organisations.
The investigation was first announced in June to examine the poorest-performing maternity and neonatal units, as well as the wider system, and Baroness Amos’s appointment in August followed feedback from bereaved families who wanted a chair ‘with distance from the NHS’.
The chair said she had repeatedly heard from women and families who felt they were not listened to, faced poor communication, experienced discrimination and lacked support to make informed choices.
Staff reported significant pressures, distress caused by social-media targeting, and the impact of poor-quality facilities and estates. The report notes that these pressures are affecting maternity and neonatal teams across the country.
Some positive developments were also identified. Staff highlighted the value of specialist midwifery roles – including bereavement pathway midwives and midwives leading on inequalities – which have improved families’ experiences and strengthened awareness of inequalities among colleagues.
Greater visibility and accessibility of senior midwifery leaders was also credited with improving morale and helping resolve concerns earlier.
Although the investigation has not reached conclusions, the reflections in the initial report will inform the development of national recommendations aimed at improving safety and quality.
A call for evidence from families is expected to open in January 2026, and the next phase of the investigation will involve further site visits and engagement with staff both inside and beyond the 12 trusts under review.
Baroness Amos said: ‘I know that doing so can be traumatic and stressful, but it is crucial to hear first-hand what is going on to help inform the wholescale change to maternity and neonatal services I feel is necessary.’
An interim report summarising findings from trust visits will be published in February 2026, with final recommendations due in spring 2026.
These will be developed into a National Action Plan by the Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by health secretary Wes Streeting.
