A group of families who have been affected by failures in NHS maternity care, including bereaved parents and grandparents, are calling for a full statutory public inquiry into maternity safety in England.

The Maternity Safety Alliance formed over social media following the sharing of their personal experiences and heartache, as well as the frustrations at the lack of action by the Government and Trusts to improve maternity safety.

The Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit is campaigning for stronger national action to save babies’ lives.

“There needs to be much more comprehensive and wide-ranging action from government and the NHS than there has been to date – we need a response that matches the scale of the issue.

“We need to move from addressing issues in maternity services as if there are a few outliers that need support, towards a much more fundamental approach that puts in place the key elements of a safe system.”

- Robert Wilson, Head of the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit

The Saving Babies’ Lives Progress Report  published by the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit earlier this year made clear that too many families continue to suffer the heartbreak of losing a baby.

“There is a clear and urgent need for a comprehensive and wide-ranging response from government and the NHS to the ongoing crisis in maternity care that has already cost so many babies’ lives. The Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit is actively working to identify and support change in these areas at a national level. 

“Everyone needs to work together to improve maternity safety. We all know from the many previous reports and inquiries what is wrong and needs to change. Only last week the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published a report that found half of maternity units (50%) were rated as ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’ in 2023.

“Today’s call for a public inquiry is led by bereaved parents; we know that parents are often not listened to and it is vital that their voice is heard. Sands is here to offer emotional support to anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.”

- Clea Harmer, Sands' Chief Executive

Support for you  

We understand that announcements like this can be incredibly difficult, and we are always here to support anyone affected. If you, or someone you know, needs emotional support after loss, find out  all the different ways we offer support. 

Find out more about the Maternity Safety Alliance