MP Calls for National Commissioner to Tackle Maternity Errors
Birmingham MP and former Health Secretary Alan Amos has urged the government to appoint a dedicated national commissioner to oversee improvements in maternity safety, following a damning report highlighting recurring errors in NHS maternity units across England. The call comes after the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) published findings showing that dozens of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and maternal injuries could have been prevented if lessons were learned from previous incidents.
Persistent Failures in Maternity Care
The HSSIB report, released on Tuesday, examined 25 serious incidents in NHS maternity units between 2019 and 2023, including cases from University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. It found that common themes—such as delayed interventions, poor communication, and inadequate staffing—continued to surface despite repeated warnings. According to the report, at least 40% of the incidents involved failures to act on known risks, such as foetal distress or maternal sepsis.
Amos, whose constituency includes parts of Birmingham, said: "It is unacceptable that families continue to suffer due to avoidable mistakes. A national commissioner would have the authority to enforce standards, coordinate training, and ensure that every trust learns from errors. The current system is fragmented, and too many trusts are repeating the same mistakes."
Impact on Families and Trust
The report has reignited calls for systemic reform, with bereaved families demanding accountability. The charity Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) reported that over 2,000 families in England experienced a stillbirth or neonatal death in 2023, with many linked to substandard care. In Birmingham, the rate of stillbirths per 1,000 births stands at 4.2, slightly above the national average of 3.9.
One mother from Solihull, who lost her baby in 2021 due to delayed caesarean section, said: "Every time a new report comes out, we hope for change, but nothing happens. A commissioner might finally make a difference."
Government Response and Next Steps
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the report, stating that it is considering the recommendation for a national commissioner. A spokesperson said: "We are committed to improving maternity safety and have already invested £127 million in the Maternity Safety Training Fund. However, we recognise more needs to be done." The government is expected to respond formally within 60 days.
Amos, a former health secretary under Margaret Thatcher, added: "This is not about party politics. It is about saving lives. I will be pushing for a debate in Parliament and urging the Health Secretary to act swiftly." The call has gained cross-party support from MPs in Birmingham and other affected regions.
Broader Context of Maternity Safety
The HSSIB report is the latest in a series of investigations into maternity care, following the Ockenden Review into Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, which identified over 200 cases of avoidable harm. Nationally, the NHS has implemented the Maternity Transformation Programme, but critics argue progress is too slow. The Royal College of Midwives has called for a national maternity safety tsar to drive change.
The proposed commissioner would oversee a new national maternity database, ensure mandatory training for all staff, and conduct unannounced inspections. The role would report directly to the Secretary of State for Health, bypassing local NHS management to ensure independence.
