Maternity Safety in Focus as NHS Moves to Improve Standards
Recent findings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) indicate that nearly half of the maternity units inspected between 2022 and 2023 were rated as needing improvement or as inadequate. Of the 131 units reviewed, 67% were explicitly flagged for safety — a rise from previous years that highlights the need for greater consistency and ongoing improvement in maternity care.
In response, the NHS has begun rolling out mandatory safety training for maternity staff across England. These efforts are part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing avoidable harm during childbirth and ensuring better outcomes for mothers and newborns.
One of the most recent incidents that has become a focal point for campaigners involves a baby girl who suffered severe brain damage after delays in diagnosing and treating a group B streptococcus (strep B) infection at Great Western Hospital NHS Trust in Swindon. Despite showing symptoms like a high temperature and skin blotches, she did not receive antibiotics until 16 hours after birth. By then, she had developed sepsis and meningitis, resulting in irreversible brain injuries and the need for round-the-clock care for life, the Metro reports.
The Trust has admitted its failings and reached a £35 million settlement with the family, one of the largest maternity-related payouts in NHS history. In a statement, the parents expressed gratitude that their daughter survived, but also deep sorrow for the life she was denied. They said: “Nevertheless, we will forever mourn the life she could have lived and the experiences she will never get to have. No compensation can fully alleviate the pain and suffering she endured or restore the life she could have and should have had.”
Campaigners, including Jane Plumb of the charity Group B Strep Support, argue that the UK’s current approach leaves too much to chance. “We’re a real outlier here,” she said. “Routine testing could, and in other countries does, prevent most of these infections and ease long-term pressure on the NHS.” Jane’s perspective is deeply personal — her son, Theo, died from a strep B infection in March 1996.
Despite these tragedies, it is essential to recognise that the vast majority of NHS maternity care is safe, and improvements are actively underway. Medical professionals across the country are working under significant pressure to deliver better, safer outcomes for every family. Initiatives like the NHS Maternity and Neonatal Safety Improvement Programme aim to reduce unwarranted variations in care and enhance safety for mothers and babies across England.
When things do go wrong, expert support becomes essential. At UKExpertMedical, we’ve been partnering with leading clinical and legal professionals for over a decade to assist families dealing with the aftermath of medical negligence. Our goal is to ensure those affected receive the attention, support, and long-term security they deserve.
