Released on: 18 April 2023
Responding to the Women and Equalities Committee report on Black maternal health, Angela McConville, Chief Executive at NCT said:
"The Women and Equalities Committee report highlights the appalling lack of progress which has been made in tackling racial disparities in maternal deaths.
"The information in the report is nothing new. We have known for too many years that these inequalities have existed. Black women are almost four times more likely to die from childbirth than white women (MBRRACE-UK). Other recent reports have highlighted how Black and Brown women often feel they are not listened to during pregnancy and birth. We also know that women living in the poorest areas of the country are at greatest risk.
"The lack of action in tackling these inequalities is deplorable - this is about life and death and whether a child grows up without a mother.
"The Government must understand and acknowledge the reasons behind these outcomes and work to tackle these disparities without any delay. Building awareness and training for staff is a good place to start."
You can read the full report here.
