Government appoints first-ever Maternity Advisor to improve care for mums and babies

Michelle Welsh MP will work with families, the NHS and ministers to help improve maternity care across England.

Published: May 19, 2026 at 11:10 AM

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Women and families affected by poor maternity care are set to play a bigger role in shaping NHS services, after the government announced the appointment of its first-ever Maternity Advisor.

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Michelle Welsh MP will work directly with families, maternity organisations, NHS leaders and ministers to help improve care for mums and babies across England, with a particular focus on tackling inequalities in maternity outcomes.

The announcement comes alongside new details about the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, which is developing a national action plan aimed at improving safety and support throughout pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.

Who is Michelle Welsh?

Portrait

Official portrait of Michelle Welsh MP ©UK Parliament 2026

Welsh brings both personal and professional experience to the role. As a harmed mother* from Nottinghamshire, she has spoken publicly about her own experiences of maternity care and has campaigned for reform.

She currently serves as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Maternity and was the first elected member in Nottinghamshire to call for an independent review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in 2020.

The government says Welsh will meet regularly with ministers to share evidence and advice, while also ensuring women’s experiences are central to future reforms.

In a statement following her appointment, Welsh said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as the National Maternity Advisor to the Government.

“This role is deeply personal to me. Like far too many women across this country, I know what it feels like to come through childbirth carrying both physical and emotional scars. That experience has strengthened my determination to fight for safer, more compassionate maternity care for every family.”

Focus on safer and kinder maternity care

The new role has been introduced as concerns around maternity safety continue to remain high across several NHS trusts.
Welsh said her priorities would include improving staffing levels, strengthening accountability and ensuring women’s voices are heard.

This is about rebuilding trust and creating a maternity system that is not only safer, but kinder too.

Michelle Welsh MP, National Maternity Advisor

She added: “As National Maternity Advisor, I will work tirelessly to drive forward meaningful reform focused on safer staffing, stronger accountability, listening to women, tackling inequalities and ensuring lessons are learned when failures happen.”

What is the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce?

Welsh will also sit on the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, which was created in response to Baroness Amos’ independent investigation into maternity and neonatal care.

The Taskforce is expected to publish a wider response and implementation plan in June.

According to the government, the group has two main priorities:

Families with lived experience are also being included in the Taskforce’s work through newly announced Expert Reference Groups, alongside clinicians, charities and academics.

Addressing inequalities in maternity care

A new Mother, of African decent, proudly holds her newborn baby out in her arms as she sits up in her hospital bed. She is wearing a hospital gown and is gazing down at her baby boy as she studies his features.

Getty

A key focus of the new strategy will be reducing inequalities in maternity outcomes, particularly for Black and Asian women.

Current NHS data shows Black and Asian women are significantly more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than white women.

Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for England, welcomed Welsh’s appointment and highlighted the importance of improving support for families facing disparities in care.

Michelle will be a fantastic advocate to ensure women’s experiences and voices are heard and help us continue to shine a light on and address the inequalities faced by mothers and babies from ethnic minorities.

Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for England

Brintworth added: “Her appointment and the work of the taskforce will be vital to our drive to ensure that all women experience the best maternity care before, during and after their pregnancy.”

What changes have already been announced?

Hospital sign for Maternity, Outpatients, wards and children's unit

The government says several maternity and neonatal initiatives have already been introduced since July 2024, including:

Secretary of State James Murray said the appointment marked “a significant step forward” in improving maternity safety across England.

“Far too many women and families have been let down by maternity services, and that must change,” he said.

*The term harmed mother is used to describe a woman who has suffered physical, psychological, or emotional trauma as a result of failures or substandard care within the maternity or healthcare system.

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Pics: Getty Images

Authors

journalist and two young kids sat on a bench in France for a review of Eurocamp

Hollie BondSenior Digital Journalist

Hollie is Senior Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes articles about pregnancy, parenting, child health and getting pregnant. She has written for a number of national lifestyle magazines and websites over the past 12 years including Family History Monthly, You and Your Wedding and Muddy Stilettos. She has two children aged 5 and 8 and hasn't slept since 2017!

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