Black women in England are facing significant disparities in maternity care, with MPs raising concerns about the neglect and poor outcomes they experience. The Health and Social Committee’s investigation highlighted the role of racism as a key factor contributing to these disparities, along with systemic deficiencies in leadership, training, data collection, and accountability.
Recent data shows that Black women are 2.3 times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postnatal period compared to White women. The committee’s report labeled the failure to address underlying inequalities in maternity care as unjust, stressing the detrimental impacts on both individuals and the healthcare system.
MPs emphasized that the shortcomings in care for Black women are occurring within a broader context of inadequacies in the maternity system affecting women in general. Notably, the NHS in England has reportedly paid £27.4 billion in maternity negligence claims since 2019, surpassing the total maternity budget for the same period.
Paulette Hamilton, acting chair of the committee, underscored the importance of a healthcare workforce that listens to, understands, and respects the needs of Black women for safe maternal care. The report pointed out the lack of adequate preparation, resources, and accountability in maternal services, highlighting the urgent need for improvement.
Labour MP Paulette Hamilton emphasized the structural racism embedded in maternity services that consistently fail Black women, calling for a focus on addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes as a critical aspect of ongoing investigations. The committee urged collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHS, the Royal College of Midwives, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council to implement mandatory cultural competency training for midwives, guided by the experiences of Black women.
A National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, led by Health Secretary Wes Streeting and comprising experts and bereaved families, has been established to address these issues. The taskforce is expected to complete its investigation by December.