A new report has unveiled shocking revelations about the state of maternity services in the NHS, highlighting systemic racism, inadequate facilities, and alarming instances of neglect. Conducted by Baroness Valerie Amos, the interim findings of the national maternity and neonatal investigation (NMNI) expose a healthcare system that has failed to adequately support women and their families during one of the most critical times in their lives.
Systemic Racism and Discrimination
The inquiry’s investigation into NHS maternity services revealed that black and Asian women experience “unacceptable racism” within the system. Testimonies gathered from 400 families and 8,000 individuals unveiled distressing accounts of cultural insensitivity, with Asian women stereotyped as “princesses” and black women’s pain frequently dismissed. One mother reported being told she was “too fat to have children,” a statement reflecting deep-seated biases and a lack of understanding.
Baroness Amos noted that these discriminatory practices have created a culture where women’s experiences and voices are often ignored. “We have heard about families being disregarded and not listened to during pregnancy and labour,” she remarked, highlighting the urgent need for compassion and accountability within maternity units.
Inadequate Facilities and Unsafe Conditions
The report also points to the dire conditions of many maternity wards, where women have been forced to give birth in corridors due to overcrowding and staff shortages. In one alarming instance, a hospital’s lack of space led women requiring assisted deliveries to deliver with their room doors wide open.
“It is inconceivable that anyone would choose to give birth in such a manner,” the report stated, questioning how such practices could still be tolerated in 2026. The inquiry uncovered instances where mothers were forced to navigate leaking roofs and fire hazards, raising significant concerns about patient safety and dignity.
A Cycle of Neglect
Baroness Amos expressed frustration at the persistent issues that plague maternity services, noting that similar concerns have been raised in previous reviews, yet little has changed. “Time and time again, families and staff see the same issues repeated despite numerous reviews and calls for change. This cycle must stop,” she asserted.
The report also detailed inadequate bereavement care, where grieving families were subjected to distressing experiences, including being taken through delivery suites with deceased infants while other mothers were in labour. Such failures not only highlight the systemic issues within the NHS but also the critical need for reform in how maternity care is provided.
Urgent Calls for Reform
Michelle Welsh MP, who chairs an all-party parliamentary group on maternity services, emphasised the need for immediate action to address these disparities. “For far too long, women and babies—especially those from Black, Asian, and deprived communities—have faced unacceptable disparities in outcomes,” she stated. Welsh called for the interim report to serve as a catalyst for meaningful, system-wide reform rather than being relegated to a shelf.
Families are encouraged to continue sharing their experiences until 17 March, as Baroness Amos prepares to present her first set of recommendations in Spring 2026, with a final report expected later in the year. The hope is that these findings will prompt a reckoning within the NHS, leading to better care for all women and their babies.
Why it Matters
The revelations from the Amos inquiry are a sobering reminder of the urgent need for reform within NHS maternity services. As the healthcare system grapples with these findings, it raises critical questions about equity, care, and accountability. The experiences of women from diverse backgrounds must be taken seriously to ensure that all families receive the respectful and competent care they deserve during such a pivotal time in their lives. The path forward requires not only acknowledgment of these issues but also a genuine commitment to implementing change that prioritises the health and wellbeing of all mothers and their children.
