The NHS maternity crisis has been laid bare in a damning report by Baroness Valerie Amos, revealing a shocking combination of racism, unsafe hospital wards, and systemic failures that have jeopardized the safety and dignity of women and babies across the UK.
The national maternity and neonatal investigation (NMNI) uncovered that black and Asian women routinely faced discrimination, families were ignored, and some mothers were even told they were “too fat to have children,” exposing the urgent need for reforms.
Interviews with more than 400 families and accounts from over 8,000 individuals revealed stark inequalities in care. The report highlighted that Asian women were stereotyped as “princesses” unable to manage pain, while Black women’s reports of pain were often dismissed, leaving them feeling unheard and unsafe.
One Black mother described being made to feel like an “aggressive, angry Black woman” while pleading for help. Meanwhile, Muslim parents recounted incidents where religious practices, such as listening to Quranic recitations, were interrupted or discouraged by staff.
The investigation revealed that poor hospital infrastructure compounded these issues. Leaking roofs, fire hazards, and overcrowded wards meant that some women were forced to give birth in corridors, while those requiring assisted vaginal deliveries sometimes had to deliver with doors left open due to lack of space.
Baroness Amos noted: “It is inconceivable that anyone would choose to give birth in such a manner. We have to ask ourselves how this can be regarded as acceptable in 2026?”
Additional failings included stretched services delaying inductions and planned C-sections, inadequate bereavement support that forced grieving parents through active delivery suites, and widespread disregard for families’ concerns during pregnancy and labour.
Young parents and those from deprived communities reported judgmental and discriminatory attitudes, further highlighting systemic inequities. One woman’s distressing experience of being told she was “too fat to have children” illustrates the persistent bias and stigma faced by some mothers.
Baroness Amos’s interim report stressed that the issues identified were not isolated incidents but part of a repeated pattern seen in NHS maternity services, despite numerous previous inquiries and warnings.
“Time and time again, families and staff see the same issues repeated,” she said. “This cycle must stop.” The inquiry also emphasized the “postcode lottery” of care, with outcomes varying dramatically depending on the hospital or trust.
The inquiry’s findings reflect wider concerns raised in high-profile failures at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust, East Kent NHS Trust, Nottingham University Hospitals Foundation Trust, and Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust.
Baroness Amos highlighted cultural shortcomings within maternity services, where staff reported fear of public scrutiny, leading them to hide badges or lie about their roles in public.
Michelle Welsh MP, chairing an all-party parliamentary group on maternity services, called for urgent reforms. “For far too long, women and babies – especially those from Black, Asian, and deprived communities – have faced unacceptable disparities in outcomes. If we are serious about rebuilding trust, we must confront that reality head-on and deliver genuinely equitable care,” she said.
“This interim report cannot simply sit on a shelf. It must mark the beginning of meaningful, system-wide reform. Families deserve action, not just words.”
The NMNI report also flagged discrimination against LGBT+ families and non-English speakers, with some parents learning of their baby’s death only due to lack of translation services.
Staff shortages, overworked teams, and reluctance to admit mistakes contributed to unsafe practices, leaving families traumatized and, at times, unfairly blaming themselves when outcomes went wrong.
Baroness Amos has pledged to publish her first set of recommendations in Spring 2026, with a final report to follow later in the year. Families are encouraged to continue sharing their experiences until 17 March to ensure all voices are heard. NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care have been approached for comment but have yet to respond to the report.
The inquiry’s revelations have reignited public debate over the state of NHS maternity care, highlighting the urgent need for structural reform, equitable treatment, and accountability across the system.
The report makes it clear that without immediate action, women and babies will continue to face unacceptable risks, discrimination, and neglect.
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Baroness Amos concluded: “We have seen maternity and neonatal services trying to respond in difficult circumstances and dealing with competing pressures but too often failing to deliver the safe care that women, families, and babies expect and deserve, at times with devastating consequences.”
