NCT responds to the appointment of Michelle Welsh MP as the government’s first Maternity Advisor

“With recent changes in government, this role carries particular significance. We hope it will help ensure that maternity and neonatal care remains a priority and does not slip down the agenda. It is vital to have stability, long-term vision and support for maternity and neonatal care and to represent parents in what is, currently, a broken maternity system.  

Responding to the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce’s Terms of Reference and membership of the Expert Reference Groups, she continued:

“I am proud to sit on the National Taskforce’s Charity and Third Sector Expert Reference Group and will work collaboratively to ensure that pregnant women and parents’ voices directly inform its priorities and recommendations.

“Every year, we support hundreds of thousands of people through pregnancy and parenthood and we have both a responsibility and a deep commitment to listen to, support and amplify the full spectrum of pregnancy, birth and early parenting experiences. As part of the Taskforce membership, our role is to ensure parents’ voices are not just heard but actively shape decisions.  

“We also welcome the creation of additional Reference Groups, which will help capture a broad and more diverse range of perspectives. For maternity services to work for everyone – keeping women, parents and babies safe, supported and respected – it is vital that decision-making is shaped by meaningful engagement with a wide and diverse range of experiences.

“Combined with this new appointment and the Baroness Amos’ investigation report, expected in June, we continue to call for greater accountability and meaningful, lasting change for pregnant women, parents and their families.”