Released on: 23 February 2016
NCT's response to ‘Better Births’, the final report of the National Maternity Review for England
Elizabeth Duff, NCT Senior Policy Adviser, who was a member of the Review Team and chaired one of the working groups, said:
“NCT welcomes this Review and commends the way it sets out a blueprint for NHS England and local providers of maternity care. As a charity for parents, we have campaigned vigorously for most of the key recommendations, particularly improved postnatal care and perinatal mental health services, so are pleased to see both addressed.
“Baroness Cumberlege describes a vision for all women and every baby that improves outcomes and reduces inequalities. This is a major challenge which must be tackled as mothers and babies who live in poverty have a far greater risk of slipping through the safety net. NHS England must now act on these recommendations to turn the rhetoric into reality. We recognise that the Review has taken place at a time of austerity but there is good evidence to show that the positive actions recommended can bring both clear benefits and cost savings in the longer term.”
