14 NHS Trusts Under Investigation for Maternity Failures

NHS maternity services under review

The government has announced a review into maternity services at 14 NHS trusts across England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he “cannot turn a blind eye to failures in the system”.

This review will look at the experiences of both family and staff in maternity units. It will also look into why previous investigations and recommendations have not led to lasting improvements.

It’s expected that interim findings from the review will be published around Christmas, with a final report released in spring 2026.

Families question the investigation

Many bereaved families have said the new review doesn’t go far enough.

The Maternity Safety Alliance (MSA) – which represents parents affected by unsafe maternity care – has accused the government of breaking promises and leaving them feeling “used”.

It said the decision not to investigate the role of NHS regulators like the Care Quality Commission and NHS Resolution means the inquiry will not address systemic failures.

Some families have even labelled the review as “not fit for purpose”. They warned that without a full public inquiry, there is a risk of repeating past mistakes.

Repeated failures and inequalities

The latest investigation follows a number of reviews into maternity safety in England.

Previous reviews at Morecambe Bay, East Kent and Shrewsbury and Telford NHS trusts all highlighted the same issues: women’s concerns being dismissed, poor leadership and a culture that ignores safety incidents.

But despite these investigations and their recommendations, families have continued to report unsafe care in maternity units.

Baroness Amos – who will chair the new review – has committed to examining why change has been slow. She said the review will pay “particular attention” to the poorer outcomes faced by black and Asian families.

The recognition of inequality in maternity care is vital, as research shows significant disparities in maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

We spoke to our Head of Legal Services Jacqueline Busby about the state of maternal services and the importance of the new review:

“This isn’t the first time we’ve heard from families whose lives have been devastated by avoidable failures in maternity care.

“The fact that so many investigations have taken place and the same issues continue to emerge is deeply concerning.

“Accountability matters. We all want the same thing: for lessons to be learnt and families to be confident they will receive safe and compassionate care.”