The government has, today, published its response to the Independent Investigation into maternity and neonatal services at East Kent, led by Dr Bill Kirkup and commissioned by NHS England.
The response comes more than four months since the investigation’s findings and recommendations were published in October 2022.
The government’s response is a step in the right direction. The government has set out some actions such as improving teamworking and culture and identifying problems at an early stage.
However, much greater detail is required on the practical steps being taken to address the serious failings that were identified, both in the East Kent report and reviews of other maternity services.
“Today’s response from the Government to the Independent Investigation into East Kent Maternity Services is the latest in a number of Government commitments to act on a string of reviews and reports into failing maternity services. All have identified similar themes, and yet this hasn’t yet led to the fundamental change required to ensure that everyone can benefit from safe, high-quality maternity care. Much greater detail is required on the practical steps that the Government is taking.
“The forthcoming NHS England delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services must include a commitment to a comprehensive, evidence-based system for supporting safe care. It must also ensure there is a culture of openness and transparency. And the Government must commit to a fully funded workforce plan so that nobody is without the care and support they need during pregnancy and the neonatal period.”
Robert Wilson, Head of Sands & Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit
Safer maternity care must be a priority
At Sands we believe it's vitally important that personalised care is delivered in partnership with women and pregnant people during pregnancy and throughout their birthing journey. And that their concerns are listened to so that we can learn lessons and improve care in the future for women, pregnant people and babies.
In recent years, there have been several reviews and reports into failing maternity services. These have identified similar themes and were met with Government commitments, but this hasn’t yet led to changes to ensure safe and high-quality care for all.
For example, the East Kent report highlighted a lack of openness and transparency, a culture of denial, and failures in teamworking, professionalism, and compassion. And whilst staffing and resource shortages were not identified as the cause of failings in East Kent, other reviews and reports have highlighted that these are an issue elsewhere.
Adequate staffing is essential for the delivery of safe care, and the government must commit to putting in place a fully funded workforce, so that everyone gets the quality care and support they deserve during pregnancy, birth and afterwards.
Support for you
If you or someone you know has been affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, no matter how long ago, Sands is here to support you for as long as you need this.
Sands also offers training and support to midwives and other healthcare workers to ensure that they have the skills they need to both care for bereaved families and to look after their own wellbeing.