Expert Accuses Peer of Altering Maternity Care Report

Dr. Bill Kirkup, an expert adviser to Valerie Amos’s review into maternity and neonatal care across England, has accused the peer of altering the final report by removing criticism of 'normal birth ideology'. The section outlining potential risks of encouraging vaginal births was removed from the final version despite having been approved by a significant number of people. Kirkup resigned eight days before publication over concerns that patient safety dangers were being downplayed.

The review, led by Labour peer and former diplomat Valerie Amos, concluded that women and babies have been put at risk by a system not set up for consistently safe, high-quality care. The maternal mortality rate in the UK stands at about 12.8 deaths per 100,000 maternities, which is 20% higher than it was in 2009-11. England has unusually high rates of both induced labors and caesarean sections by international standards.

Two new inquiries have found that substandard care in at least two hospital trusts contributed to a rise in maternal and neonatal deaths in England, UK. The Ockenden report into maternity care in Nottingham found that more than 500 mothers and babies either came to harm or died due to poor care over 13 years at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust (NUH). A similar review, the Amos report, also found women and babies being failed as hospitals ignored patient needs. The Amos inquiry examined practices across 12 different maternity and neonatal services.

The proportion of mothers experiencing postpartum haemorrhage increased from 27 per 1,000 births in 2020 to 32 per 1,000 in 2025, a rise of 19%. The number of mothers sustaining third- or fourth-degree perineal tears also increased by 16% between June 2020 and June this year. Health Secretary James Murray pledged that the report would lead to significant improvements in maternity care, including dismantling toxic dynamics between hospital staff providing childbirth care.

Bereaved families have slammed Baroness Valerie Amos' report as 'superficial' and lacking credibility. They claim the report ignored victims and 'cherry-picked' evidence to suit existing agendas. Families are calling for the report to be withdrawn and the Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce disbanded immediately over their concerns.

The report described maternity units as 'not fit for purpose', with filthy, crumbling hospitals leaving mothers suffering unsafe and undignified care. Pregnant women reported blood-stained toilets and showers, dirty beds, and wards infested with insects and mould. Midwives warned that leaks, faulty equipment, and other safety hazards distract them from their work, while a lack of beds and cots distorts decision-making.

The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation made a series of recommendations but families said it should now be withdrawn over their concerns. The report has also been criticized for referring to 'birthing people' instead of just 'women'. Campaigners argue that only women can get pregnant and give birth, and 'unscientific jargon' that pretends otherwise adds 'insult to injury' for families affected by care scandals.

The Ockenden report found failures in key areas including a 'bullying and toxic culture' which persisted at NUH, as well as senior managers failing to act when repeatedly warned about specific problems. Mothers in labour were routinely turned away from the two maternity units and told to return home – often when they should not have been – the inquiry noted.

Amos’s review also points to racism and discrimination as being 'embedded throughout the system'. According to the report, women and families who were interviewed said they received unfair or unequal treatment, were subjected to stereotypes, racial slurs, Islamophobia and antisemitism. Staff at hospitals also shared similar sentiments about being subjected to racism while performing their jobs.

The Amos report recommended immediate action to ensure there is much greater listening to women and their families by rolling out Martha’s Rule, a new right for patients to seek a second opinion by requesting a clinical review of their care by an independent team. The report has also recommended measures to ensure greater accountability of senior clinicians in maternal and neonatal care and eliminate inequality of care and medical outcomes.

Health Secretary James Murray called the Amos review a 'watershed moment'. He announced additional funds of 41 million pounds ($54.75m) to improve safety at maternity and neonatal facilities, create 1,000 temporary midwifery posts, and publish new national standards for emergency maternity care.