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Following a series of terrible reports, a national survey has begun on NHS Maternity Care in the UK.
The 10 “worst performance” births and newborn units will be considered “urgently” in the first part of the review, the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs said Monday.
Officials said NHS England CEO Sir Jim McKee and chief nursing officer Duncan Burton will meet the trust of the biggest concerns, including Leeds, Gloucester, Mid-Essex, South Essex and Sussex, within next month.
The second phase of the study considers system-wide care and combines lessons from previous enquiries into individual services to create a “single national action set to improve care.”
A series of independent reviews in recent years have identified patterns of women not being able to receive compassionate care and issues surrounding the safety of obstetric units. The leadership shown by the trusts and culture of these services has also been criticized.
UK Health Secretary Wes Street spoke at a meeting of Royal Obstetricians and Gynecologists on Monday, saying that last year he met with family members who lost their babies and exhibited serious harm “at the most enjoyable time of his life.”
“What they experienced is devastating – a deeply painful story of trauma, loss, and a lack of basic compassion – not caused by the failure of NHS maternity care.
Streeting said the investigation, which will begin this summer and closes by December, will “ensure that these families get the truth and accountability they deserve.”
The government will set up the National Maternal and Newborn Task Force on Monday to promote emergency improvements, chairing streets, compiling panels of experts and bereaved families.
Dr. Lanitakal, president of Royal College of Ottetican and Gynecologists, said:
“It is important that the national review published today be promptly conducted and based on evidence from previous obstetric investigations, we create a definitive set of recommendations that will encourage action across the system.”
