National maternity care investigation announced following serious scandals

By Suzanne Munroe

Published June 23, 2025In: Clinical Negligence

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a new, rapid national investigation into maternity care across England. This comes after years of devastating maternity scandals across several NHS trusts including Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, where too many parents have suffered avoidable harm and loss.

Most underperforming maternity services

The review will look closely at some of the most underperforming maternity and services in the country including those at Leeds, Sussex, Gloucester and Mid and South Essex. It will begin this summer and report back by December 2025.

The inquiry will take place in two phases. Initially, it will investigate up to 10 of the most concerning units to ensure affected families receive urgent answers. Following this, the review will look at maternity care across the NHS to make sure vital lessons are learned and systemic improvements can be put into place.

Deep seated culture of poor communication

This announcement comes after years of troubling findings across the NHS. Serious failings uncovered at Morecambe Bay, Shrewsbury and Telford, East Kent and elsewhere highlight a deep-seated culture of poor communication, insufficient risk management and a troubling lack of compassion. Families have repeatedly spoken out about painful losses and trauma experienced due to substandard care.

The national investigation is a welcome step forward

As a firm that has been supporting many of those affected, including parents involved in the Nottingham University Hospitals review and the investigations into Leeds Hospitals Trust, we know how long these families have waited for meaningful action. We welcome this national investigation as a vital step towards ensuring every parent and baby receives safe, dignified and responsive care.

Suzanne Munroe, Head of Medical Negligence at Switalskis, commented:

“We hope that this national investigation into maternity and care will finally deliver the transparency, accountability and change that so many families deserve. Our work supporting families affected by serious failures at Trusts across the country has shown us just how critical it is for parents to have their voices heard and for those lessons to be acted upon. Real, lasting systemic change must follow this review to ensure no family faces preventable harm again.”

Advocating for affected families

This investigation is long-overdue but for many parents who have been brave enough to speak out about their experiences, it offers some hope that lasting change can happen. At Switalskis, we will continue to advocate for those affected and support families every step of the way.

If you or a loved one have been affected by failings in maternity and / or care our experienced team is here to listen, advise and help you find the answers you deserve.