Released on: 21 September 2022
NCT responds to analysis which found that more than half of maternity units in England fail consistently to meet safety standards.
Angela McConville, Chief Executive at NCT said:
"The UK’s maternity services are under extreme pressure. There are persistent variations in the quality of care and critical staff shortages, a lack of continuity in care, and gaps in postnatal support that are plaguing the system.
"Alongside leading representatives of the maternity sector, we're calling on the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to deliver on the 2019 Conservative manifesto commitment to make the ‘NHS the best place in the world to give birth'.
"A world-leading maternity service would ensure that every woman and baby gets personalised, skilled and inclusive care that responds to their individual needs at every stage of their maternity journey.
"Achieving this requires three things:
"First, we need a credible government strategy and major investment to ensure a safe, skilled, compassionate maternity workforce who feel valued and supported in their roles;
"Second, we need a renewed commitment to implement the Women's Health Strategy, to improve the quality and accessibility of services and information around women’s health;
"Finally, Government must ensure that the learning and recommendations from recent reports and reviews are taken forward to improve the quality of maternity services and outcomes.
"There is urgent need for change. The time for action is now."
