Baroness Valerie Amos, chair of the national maternity and neonatal investigation in England, has today published her Interim Report.

The report shares the insights Baroness Amos has gained so far, which reflect what families, staff and others have shared and what the investigation team has seen. 

“Devastatingly, but not surprisingly, the report has shared even more of the same real stories of parents who have experienced the issues and failures in care that Sands and other charities and groups have been highlighting and campaigning about with bereaved parents and families for many years. 

“What’s really needed now is agreement on what better care looks like, and what targets and ambitions are needed to be able to track progress and ensure maternity services receive the appropriate attention, research funding, staffing levels and training to improve."

“As the investigation moves into its next stage, we urge Baroness Amos to consider the work already completed by the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit that called for the government to set new ambitions for reducing perinatal mortality and preterm births – focused on matching the best-performing countries in Europe. 

"And to eliminate inequalities in these outcomes based on ethnicity and deprivation, and to establish routine data collection on miscarriages.” 

- Sands' Chief Executive Clea Harmer

What is the maternity and neonatal investigation?

This rapid, independent investigation was ordered by Health and Social Care Secretary of State Wes Streeting to provide truth to affected families and drive urgent improvements in patient care and safety, following a series of meetings between the Secretary of State and bereaved families. 

It is also part of a wider package of actions to boost accountability and safety in the NHS. The investigation will examine maternity and neonatal services in 12 NHS trusts, but also across the whole maternity system, incorporating the views of affected families and their representatives. 

The aim of the investigation is to develop one set of national recommendations to drive improvements in maternity and neonatal care across England, reduce inequalities in the delivery of these services and help affected families to receive justice and accountability.

Baroness Amos has said that "further themes and issues may yet emerge, so no firm conclusions or recommendations are made in this interim report."

Call For Evidence remains open

If you have not yet shared your experience with the Investigation and would like to, or are aware of others who have not yet done so, the public Call for Evidence remains open until 17th March.  

Baroness Amos would like to hear from women and families, including fathers and non-birthing partners, about their experience of maternity or neonatal care in England.

We know that sharing experiences of care can be difficult, especially when you may have already done this before. If you would like to take part in the survey, we have put together some information to help guide you through this.  

Sands is here for you

We understand that news like this can be upsetting for everyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss. Sands is here to support anyone who needs this for as long as they need.

You can also find out more about our campaigning work in Wales and how you can get involved.