‘Change is needed now urgently’: 100+ groups demand urgent maternity reform

In the wake of the government’s rapid national investigation into maternity services, more than 100 organisations have united to warn that maternity services across the UK are in urgent need of change, telling ministers that “women and birthing people and babies are being harmed… on a daily basis”.

The National Maternity and Neonatal Collective, convened by birth trauma charity Make Birth Better, has presented a co-produced action plan directly to Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, Baroness Amos and the national investigation team. Their aim is simple, they say: no more reviews without results.

For mums and birthing people who are pregnant now, planning a baby or processing a difficult birth, the message from campaigners is stark. This cannot be business as usual.

‘Change is needed now urgently’

The collective was formed in 2025 after the Government announced a rapid national investigation into maternity services, ordered by the Health and Social Care Secretary to address systemic failings and their impact on families.

Dr Rebecca Moore, Co-Founder of Make Birth Better, said: “We have come together to provide a unique collective lived experience view of what needs to change in maternity care systems, we cannot simply have another report published that asks us to listen to women, birthing people and staff with no actual solutions."

Women and birthing people and babies are being harmed across the whole of the UK on a daily basis and change is needed now urgently.

The group says families have seen multiple inquiries over the years, but too often without meaningful, lasting improvements on the ground.

‘The only way to create systemic change’

At the heart of the collective’s approach is co-production, bringing together more than 100 national and grassroots organisations, clinicians, academics and parent advocates to shape a detailed, evidence-based plan.

Make Birth Better CEO Laura-Rose Thorogood said: “This approach of coproduction across numerous investigations has never historically taken place, and so coming together to present recommendations and solutions to coproduce positive improvements and outcomes is what is so desperately needed.”

The only way to create systemic change is to have patient and staff voices' experiences centred, and ingrained within the investigation and Taskforce, as one national collective voice for change.

The collective argues that listening alone is not enough. Families and frontline staff must be directly involved in shaping solutions, with clear accountability for how recommendations are delivered.

A maternity service ‘for us, by us, with us’

Campaigners say the ultimate goal is a maternity system that is safe, compassionate and inclusive for every family, particularly those from marginalised communities who face poorer outcomes.

The plan presented to ministers focuses on addressing inequalities and improving care for Black and Brown families and other marginalised groups, alongside ensuring better support for maternity staff.

The only way to create systemic change is to have patient and staff voices and experiences centred, and heard within the investigation. This is the only way we create positive improvements and outcomes.

The collective describes its vision as a maternity service that is “For us, by us, with us”, reflecting a commitment to designing care alongside the people who use and deliver it.

Taking recommendations straight to Westminster

On 4 March, members of the collective met in person with the Secretary of State, Baroness Amos and the investigation team to present their national recommendations and solutions. A further in-person meeting is planned in June, bringing together all 100+ organisations to co-produce how the solutions can be turned into tangible, deliverable actions.

The organisations involved span birth trauma support, bereavement charities, midwifery groups, academics and community-led organisations, including Tommy’s, National Childbirth Trust, Birthrights and The Motherhood Group.

For families watching developments closely, the next phase will be crucial. Campaigners say they will continue to push for practical changes that improve safety, rebuild trust and ensure every mum and baby receives the care they deserve.

As Dr Moore warned, “we cannot simply have another report” — and for thousands of families across the UK, the hope is that this time, real change will follow.