NCT responds to Baroness Amos’ reflections on maternity and neonatal care in England

In response Angela McConville, NCT Chief Executive said: 

“Every parent should have the right to safe, personalised, respectful and culturally competent care. But we know this is still far from reality.  

“Each year NCT hears from thousands of new and expectant parents. What they tell us echoes the findings in Baroness Amos’ report. Many pregnant women and new parents tell us that they were not listened to, weren’t supported to make informed decisions, experienced discrimination, and received care that lacked empathy.

"Some of the most distressing accounts come from women and birthing people who were not treated with even basic dignity or compassion.  

"One parent told us that when she began bleeding during pregnancy, she was left alone in a room. She called for help and even pulled the emergency cords - but no one came.

"Another described repeatedly telling staff that her baby’s movements had changed, only to be dismissed, leaving her terrified and unheard.

"While some women do have safe, positive and supported experiences - and their stories must be recognised too - the inconsistency of care is unacceptable.

“None of this is new. As the report highlights, almost 750 recommendations have previously been made to improve maternity and neonatal care.  

“The question the investigation and the Maternity Taskforce must now answer is simple: why has change not happened?”

On the investigation’s progress and process so far and listening to parents:

“The investigation has rightly faced public scrutiny. Some say it’s too slow; others fear it’s racing ahead without giving families the chance to be heard. The truth lies in the middle. We must keep up the pace because change is urgently needed, while making sure bereaved and harmed families, and the staff working tirelessly in maternity services, are properly supported.

“The investigation must work harder to amplify the voices of those most often failed by the system. Research shows that women who die during pregnancy or birth frequently face a constellation of biases - including racism, poverty, mental health challenges and domestic abuse. These experiences are not isolated incidents; they reflect deep-rooted, systemic issues that demand urgent action.”

As the investigation progresses, NCT is urging the investigation team to:

1. Continue to listen deeply to bereaved, harmed and traumatised women, parents, and families whose voices have shaped this investigation. Their experiences, and those of women and parents who have been harmed or failed by the NHS, must remain at the centre of the investigation. Some women do have safe, positive and supported experiences - and their stories must be recognised too
2. Support expectant parents in the 12 NHS Trusts today: Parents who are pregnant or who have recently had a baby may be anxious or concerned following the news that their NHS Trust is part of the investigation and clear action needs to be taken to inform and support these parents.
3. Highlight the need for increased investment:  The investigation must highlight areas that need dedicated investment, including unsafe staffing levels, insufficient time and space for training, the erosion of birth setting choice, a declining maternity estate and lack of resources.
4. Consider the system-wide context: A fragmented, poorly coordinated system, spanning emergency, maternity, postnatal, primary, and community care is putting women, babies, and parents at risk. NCT urges the investigation and Taskforce to consider these system-wide failures and not limit its recommendations to Maternity and Neonatal services.
5. Consider postnatal care: Women and new parents need support at home, in the community, and online that is accessible 24/7. A well-trained, confident and resourced workforce, supported by the community and voluntary sector, is crucial to delivering this safety net.
6. Scrutinise the conditions that create a culture that listens and learns: Maternity services must create environments where issues and concerns can be raised without fear. Every parent and professional should feel safe to speak up, and feel confident they will be heard. We need strong, accountable leadership and a culture that values openness, compassion, and learning.
7. Acknowledge learnings and best practice: Alongside an honest and uncompromising examination of NHS failings, the investigation should highlight and scale examples of good practice and rationalise the 700+ maternity improvement actions already identified to form a single, national blueprint for maternity and neonatal improvements.