The NHS Alliance responds to Baroness Amos' maternity report

Speaking in response to the full publication of Baroness Amos' findings on maternity and neonatal services in England, Matthew Hopkins, the interim acute and ambulance network director at The NHS Alliance, said:  

"Health leaders recognise the very real and longstanding concerns that have built up around NHS maternity services, as they face increasingly complex challenges including demographic changes and more clinical interventions.

"The appointment of a maternity and neonatal commissioner and a new national action plan should help to provide clarity and focus to drive progress, and ensure women are heard.

"It is important that maternity units operate at sufficient scale to provide safe, high quality care supported by adequate staffing levels.

"Achieving this often requires difficult local decisions about services. Local NHS leaders will need strong support from the commissioner and politicians to make the right call.

"NHS leaders are committed to tackling racism and discrimination which have contributed to inequalities and worse outcomes for Black and Asian women.

"It is also vital that staff have the right training and physical environment to provide consistently good care.

"NHS leaders stand ready to play their part in improving maternity services for women, babies, families and staff."