The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation must lead to real change

New findings reveal troubling failings in maternity and neonatal care. The Lullaby Trust is deeply concerned and urging urgent action to protect families.

People's hands holding pens, inspecting graphs and data on sheets of paper.

The interim report of the investigation into England’s National Maternity and Neonatal services has been released this week, and The Lullaby Trust is deeply concerned. This report shows that, far too often, families are being failed at the most critical time and paints a truly troubling picture of maternity and neonatal care in England. The findings echo the difficult experiences families have been sharing with us and other charities for many years, which we have been working to change as part of the wider Pregnancy and Baby Charity Network.

Baroness Amos said it was “much worse than [she] anticipated,” and nothing prepared her for the widespread scale of poor care. We are particularly concerned about the report’s findings around persistent inequalities and the way in which some families, especially those already facing disadvantage, are more likely to experience unsafe or dismissive care.

Every parent and carer’s experiences should be understood, and everyone should be taken seriously when they raise concerns about their baby.

Lady sitting beside another person in support.

For bereaved families

Of particular concern are the unacceptable delays in producing autopsy reports. The report highlights that lengthy waits for post-mortem findings are preventing bereaved families from fully processing their grief. Every grieving family deserves timely, transparent answers about their baby or child’s death, yet too many are left waiting in anguish. Families also reported a lack of compassion and poor communication after their baby died. This is deeply unjust. Every family should be treated with privacy and dignity and offered specialist bereavement care.

If you would like to speak to a supportive listener on our bereavement support helpline, you can find out more.

An illustration of a hand holding a phone with the Baby Check app open by The Lullaby Trust. It is on a page saying 'temperature', with an illustration of a baby and a thermometer.

For new and expectant families

We understand that the report’s findings may be worrying, and that the report describes instances where families’ concerns about their baby’s wellbeing have not been listened to. It is distressing to again see discrimination highlighted and we know how hard this is for families who are affected.

We want to remind families that you have the right to speak up and ask for support and clarity, and that you are never a nuisance when it comes to you and your baby’s health. Our baby safety helpline is open from 10:00am – 2:00pm: 0808 802 6869. Families with a baby under six months old can also download our Aplicația Baby Check, which helps families to decide whether their baby needs to see a health professional.

Aplicația Baby Check

Working together for change

Our hearts are with every family impacted by the failings highlighted. No one should have to fight to be heard or left without answers. This must be a wake-up call. Families need urgent, meaningful action to prevent further tragedies. Professionals need the time, training and resources to be able to offer safe care. Every family should receive safe, compassionate and culturally appropriate care.

Jenny Ward, CEO of The Lullaby Trust

We want to reassure families that there are many charities fighting together for change. We urge the government and NHS leaders to ensure that the voices of bereaved and new and expectant families remain central to the next phase of this work.

The Lullaby Trust and The Pregnancy and Baby Charities Network are continuing to do all we can to improve maternity and neonatal outcomes and reduce inequalities for families and babies.

This report must be a turning point. We cannot afford to see another long list of recommendations that are not fully acted upon with the urgency they demand.