Lib Dems call for action as three in four Brits fear for NHS maternity safety

A new Liberal Democrats survey found that three in four British adults are concerned about the safety and standards of NHS maternity care in England

The survey was conducted by Savanta and included 2,213 UK adults. The results found that 75% of respondents were concerned about maternity care, with 35% very concerned and 40% fairly concerned. It was also revealed that 15% said they were not concerned.

The survey was conducted after concerns grew following safety inspections that revealed problems across NHS maternity units in England.

Women are the most concerned

The survey found that women were more likely than men to express concerns about maternity care, with 79% of women worried about safety compared with 72% of men.

Men were also almost twice as likely as women to say they were unconcerned with 20% compared with 11%.

Concerns were widespread across all age groups. Worry was highest among adults aged 55 and over (78%), followed by those aged 35 to 54 (76%). Among younger adults aged 16 to 34, 71% expressed concerns.

Two-thirds of maternity units rated below good

The concerns follow Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections carried out between 2022 and 2023, which found that two-thirds of NHS maternity units in England were rated below good for safety.

From the units that were inspected, 47% were rated as requiring improvement, while 18% were given an inadequate rating. No maternity unit achieved an outstanding safety rating.

The findings have raised questions about staffing levels, hospital facilities, and maternity services’ ability to provide consistently safe care for families.

Lib Dems call for maternity rescue package

The Liberal Democrats are calling for an emergency maternity rescue package to improve safety standards and rebuild public confidence in NHS maternity services.

Their proposals include guaranteeing one-to-one midwifery care for every mother, ensuring consultants are present on maternity wards around the clock and addressing major repair issues affecting 40% of maternity units.

The Lib Dems also want every maternity unit to reach at least a good safety rating.

Last month, MPs voted on a Liberal Democrat amendment that would have required every maternity unit to be made safe. Labour voted against the proposal, while the Conservatives abstained. The Royal College of Midwives criticised the outcome, describing it as a setback for maternity safety.

The latest figures add to ongoing concerns about the condition of maternity services and the need for improvements in care for mothers and newborns.

The Liberal Democrats have called for urgent action to address safety problems, improve working conditions for maternity staff, and ensure families can trust the care they receive.