Medical negligence solicitors at Switalskis are supporting calls for urgent action following the release of interim findings from the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, led by Baroness Valerie Amos. At Switalskis, we support clients across the 12 identified Trusts and have heard first-hand how these failures have affected their lives.

The review, one of the most extensive investigations ever conducted into maternity and neonatal services across England, has already spoken to more than 170 families. Many have reported unsafe care, discriminatory treatment and experiences that left them traumatised and without answers.

Families across the country are now calling for a system that finally listens, learns and protects mothers, babies and their loved ones.

Suzanne Munroe, lead solicitor and Head of Switalskis’ maternity negligence team said:

“These emerging concerns will be incredibly difficult to hear for families who trusted the system to keep them safe.

“The investigation has already identified gaps in communication, compassion, and safe clinical care.

“Parents have a fundamental right to answers, and listening to their experiences must be central to this process. A robust investigation is essential to drive improvements in maternity safety and restore public confidence.

“Of the families we support, many describe feeling ignored, dismissed, or left without answers at the most vulnerable moments. Their courage in speaking out must lead to meaningful change.”

Initial findings reveal widespread failings

Baroness Amos has described what the review has uncovered so far as “much worse” than anticipated. Examples shared by families include:

• Women left hungry, in dirty wards, or without help to wash or use the bathroom
• Reports of women being left alone for hours, including while haemorrhaging
• Concerns being dismissed, including reports of reduced foetal movement
• Discriminatory practices affecting Black, Asian and deprived families
• Poor internal culture, with some Trusts “marking their own homework” after serious harm or death
• Inappropriate or unprofessional language used in official records and investigations

The review has also heard from healthcare staff dealing with overwhelming pressure, burnout, and in some cases, abuse and threats.

These emerging concerns sit against the backdrop of a decade of repeated warnings. Previous inquiries at Morecambe Bay, Shrewsbury & Telford, and East Kent have already generated 748 recommendations to improve maternity care. Nevertheless, families continue to experience avoidable harm across England. The largest ever NHS maternity inquiry, involving around 2,500 Nottingham cases, will report next year, and another review has now begun into Leeds Teaching Hospitals. The scale of repeated failings shows why urgent, meaningful change is long overdue.

What the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation aims to achieve

The investigation has set out a clear purpose - to develop one set of national recommendations to improve the quality, safety and equity of maternity and neonatal care across England.

Its aims include:

• Ensuring high-quality, safe maternity and neonatal care nationwide
• Reducing inequalities, particularly for Black, Asian, deprived and other marginalised groups
• Promoting health equity in every part of the maternity pathway
• Ensuring families harmed by failures receive justice, accountability and compassion
• Embedding lived experience – including mothers, fathers, non-birthing partners and family members – at the centre of all recommendations

To support this, the investigation will also publish 12 detailed local investigations at NHS Trusts across England.

These include:

• Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
• Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
• Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
• University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
• East Kent Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

The investigation is examining every stage of the maternity and neonatal pathway, from pre-pregnancy to birth, neonatal care and bereavement support.

Further reports are expected in spring 2026.

How Switalskis can help families affected by unsafe maternity or neonatal care

If you or a loved one has experienced harm, trauma or loss due to maternity or neonatal care at any NHS Trust in England, your voice matters.

Switalskis’ maternity negligence specialists represent families nationwide who have suffered avoidable injury or death during pregnancy, labour, birth or neonatal care. We are supporting the need for full transparency, meaningful learning and accountability following these latest findings.

For compassionate advice from our experienced medical negligence team , contact us today. Call 0800 1380 458 or email help@switalskis.com .