NHS Maternity Care: New Taskforce to Improve Safety & Accountability
New Taskforce Launched to Address Rising Concerns in English Maternity and Neonatal Care
A new taskforce has been established by the UK government to improve the quality of NHS maternity and neonatal care across England. The initiative, announced on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, aims to deliver “safer and higher-quality care” and address what officials describe as “deep-rooted inequalities” within the system. The move comes amid growing scrutiny of maternity services and increasing data highlighting disparities in outcomes for women and babies.
The taskforce, chaired by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, will be comprised of family representatives, senior NHS leaders, campaigners, and academics. Its immediate focus will be to act upon the recommendations stemming from an independent national investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England, led by Baroness Amos, with findings expected this June.
A System Under Pressure: The Context for Change
The creation of this taskforce is not occurring in a vacuum. Recent data reveals a concerning trend of increasing maternal mortality rates in England. According to the latest figures from MBRRACE-UK (2021 to 2023), maternal mortality has risen by 21% since 2009-2011, or 7% when excluding deaths related to COVID-19 infection. This increase is attributed to a complex interplay of factors, including rising maternal age, increasing rates of obesity, and the prevalence of pre-existing medical conditions, making maternal care more challenging.
Perhaps most alarmingly, significant disparities persist in maternal outcomes. The MBRRACE-UK data shows that Black women died at more than twice the rate of white women during the 2021-2023 period, and women living in the most deprived areas experienced nearly double the mortality rate of those in the least deprived areas. These inequalities extend to maternal morbidity as well, with Black women facing up to 89% higher odds of experiencing severe morbidity and women in the most deprived areas facing a 20% higher risk.
The Maternal Care Bundle (MCB), a set of best practice standards implemented by NHS providers, aims to address these issues, but officials acknowledge that more consistent and equitable care is urgently needed. Assessors at MBRRACE-UK believe that improvements in care could have made a difference for 45% of the women who died between 2021 and 2023.
What the Taskforce Will Do: A Multi-Pronged Approach
The taskforce’s mandate extends beyond simply implementing the recommendations of the Amos investigation. It will also consider the findings of the Thirlwall Inquiry, which investigated the crimes of former nurse Lucy Letby, and the independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. This broad scope suggests a commitment to addressing systemic issues across multiple areas of concern.
Specifically, the taskforce will focus on delivering “urgent action” on the recommendations from these reviews, tackling deep-rooted inequalities, and ensuring families harmed by maternity care receive both truth and accountability. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the need for swift action, stating that the taskforce will initiate function immediately to drive improvement from the moment the Amos investigation is published.
Voices from the Front Lines: Family Involvement and Professional Response
A key element of the taskforce’s composition is the inclusion of family representatives. Helen Gittos, a family representative on the taskforce, expressed hope that the group would ensure “the changes that are so urgently needed are properly implemented.” She underscored the gravity of the problems within maternity services and called for professional bodies to produce “bravely, boldly and decisively” decisions to create trustworthy services for women.
Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, echoed this sentiment, stating that “every woman and baby deserve safe, compassionate care during pregnancy and birth, and the highly best start in life.” He acknowledged the hard work of NHS maternity and neonatal teams but emphasized the need for further improvements.
Financial Investment and Ongoing Scrutiny
Alongside the formation of the taskforce, the government has announced a £25 million boost for NHS Trusts. These funds will be directed towards tackling the causes of maternal death, enhancing bereavement facilities, and improving triage services. This financial commitment signals a recognition of the urgent need for investment in maternity care.
Sky News is also continuing to highlight issues within maternity care, hosting an event today, March 17, 2026, featuring women sharing their birth experiences with an expert panel. The event, titled Birth Experiences: Your Stories, is taking place at Millie &. Maisie Play Cafe in Clapham and is available to watch via livestream.
What Happens Next? A Timeline for Change
The immediate next step is the publication of Baroness Amos’s independent investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England, expected in June 2026. Following this, the taskforce will begin implementing its recommendations, drawing on the findings of the Amos investigation, the Thirlwall Inquiry, and the Nottingham University Hospitals review. The government has not yet provided a specific timeline for the completion of these actions, but officials have stressed the urgency of the situation.
The taskforce’s work will be closely monitored by the public, healthcare professionals, and, most importantly, the families who rely on these vital services. The success of this initiative will depend on a sustained commitment to improvement, transparency, and accountability.
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