Paul Johnson, CEO Radar Healthcare, says that maternity care in the UK faces a pivotal moment. While the NHS has supported generations of families through safe and compassionate birth experiences, increasing pressures are now taking a toll. Workforce shortages, outdated policies, and substantial inequalities in outcomes are placing significant strain on the maternity care system, leaving some families without the care they deserve. However, he points out that these challenges also present a vital opportunity for change...
The consequences of failings in maternity care, both human and financial, are increasingly apparent. Since 2019, the NHS in England has incurred an estimated £27.4 billion in costs related to maternity care failings, significantly exceeding the £18 billion budget allocated for newborn care.
This financial burden is driven by a sharp increase in legal claims, which have nearly doubled to almost 1,400 annually by 2023. (The Guardian). With a projected £37.5 billion cost of future claims is more than a warning, it's a call for meaningful reform.
Alongside the growing financial burden, complaints about maternity services are rising sharply. Over a two-year period, more than 25,000 complaints were filed, with grievances related to maternity departments increasing by 16% — from 3,970 in 2020–21 to 4,610 in 2021–22 (Been Let Down?). The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman also reported that 84% of women felt healthcare professionals were not listening to them, with communication failures accounting for 65% of maternity complaints between 2020 and 2022 (ombudsman.org.uk).
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
