NHS maternity care ‘not good enough’ as pregnancy deaths increase

• NHS maternity care is deemed "not good enough" by England's Chief Midwifery Officer, Kate Brintworth, as maternal deaths are increasing.
• Figures show 257 women died during or after pregnancy between 2021 and 2023, with research suggesting improved care could have altered the outcome in almost half of these cases.
• The NHS will implement new clinical standards by March 2027, including early risk assessments for blood clots (now the leading cause of maternal mortality) and routine mental health checks.
• Other measures include specialist care for pregnant women with epilepsy and earlier intervention for post-birth haemorrhages.
• Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated his determination to transform maternity care, aiming to significantly reduce avoidable deaths.

IN FULL

Top midwife warns ‘things aren’t good enough’ as NHS overhauls care to reduce maternal deaths