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A recent inquiry into NHS maternity services has unveiled a disturbing pattern of racism, neglect, and unsafe practices, raising serious concerns about the treatment of women and their babies across the UK. Conducted by Baroness Valerie Amos, the report highlights a series of shocking testimonies from over 8,000 respondents, revealing that women of colour, particularly Black and Asian mothers, are facing systemic discrimination and inadequate care during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
A Culture of Discrimination
The findings of the national maternity and neonatal investigation (NMNI) are profoundly troubling. The review reveals that women of Asian descent are often stereotyped as “princesses,” leading to dismissive attitudes from staff regarding their pain. Black women reported being perceived as having “tough skin,” rendering their pain complaints unacknowledged. One woman recounted a harrowing experience where, despite pleading for assistance during labour, she was characterised as an “aggressive, angry Black woman.” This culture of racism not only undermines the dignity of these women but also compromises their care and wellbeing.
The report also detailed an incident involving a Muslim woman who was told by a nurse to “turn it down; I don’t want to hear it” while she listened to a recitation of the Quran. Such reports of discrimination extend beyond race, affecting LGBT+ families and those with language barriers, illustrating a broader issue of inadequate support and understanding within the NHS maternity services.
Inadequate Facilities and Care
The Amos inquiry also drew attention to the physical conditions of maternity wards, with women reportedly forced to give birth in corridors due to space constraints and poor hospital conditions, such as leaking roofs and fire hazards. In one harrowing account, a woman requiring an assisted vaginal delivery had to deliver her child with the door to her room wide open, exposing her to the distress of other patients and families.
Baroness Amos questioned how such conditions could be deemed acceptable in 2026, pointing to a systemic failure that prioritises operational issues over patient dignity and safety. The report further highlighted how severe staff shortages and capacity problems have led to postponed inductions and planned C-sections, placing additional stress on expectant mothers and their families.
The Need for System-Wide Reform
The inquiry’s findings are part of a larger crisis in maternity services, which has already faced scrutiny in several trusts across the country. Baroness Amos stated that the repeated failures must be addressed urgently. In her foreword to the interim report, she emphasised the need for accountability, stating, “This cycle must stop.”
Michelle Welsh MP, who chairs a parliamentary group focused on maternity services, echoed this sentiment, calling for immediate reforms to ensure equitable care for all women, particularly those from marginalized communities. “If we are serious about rebuilding trust, we must confront that reality head-on and deliver genuinely equitable care,” she asserted.
The inquiry continues to solicit input from families until 17 March, with Baroness Amos expected to present her first set of recommendations in Spring 2026, followed by a comprehensive final report later in the year.
Why it Matters
The findings from the Amos inquiry are a clarion call for change within NHS maternity services. The systemic racism and inadequate care exposed highlight a critical need for reforms that address the disparities faced by women of colour and other vulnerable groups. Access to safe and compassionate maternity care is a fundamental right, and the revelations from this report should galvanise action towards a healthcare system that prioritises dignity, respect, and equity for all. The health and wellbeing of mothers and their newborns depend on it.
