NHS to tackle 'unfair' maternity outcomes

A taskforce has been set up to tackle disparities in maternity care experienced by women belonging to ethnic minorities and those living in deprived areas.

Black women are 40% more likely to miscarry than white, studies suggest. Maternal death rates are also higher among black and Asian women.

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists head Dr Edward Morris told BBC News implicit racial bias was affecting some women's care.

Patient Safety and Primary Care Minister Maria Caulfield said: "For too long disparities have persisted which mean women living in deprived areas or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to get the care they need and, worse, lose their child.

"We must do better to understand and address the causes of this.

"The Maternity Disparities Taskforce will help level-up maternity care across the country, bringing together a wide range of experts to deliver real and ambitious change so we can improve care for all women - and I will be monitoring progress closely."

Chief midwifery officer Prof Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, who will co-chair the taskforce, said: "The NHS's ambition is to be the safest place in the world to be pregnant, give birth and transition into parenthood - all women who use our maternity services should receive the best care possible."

The taskforce will meet every two months and focus on:

• improving personalised care and support plans
• addressing how wider societal issues affect maternal health
• improving education and awareness of health when trying to conceive, such as taking supplements and maintaining a healthy weight
• increasing access to maternity care for all women and developing targeted support for those from the most vulnerable groups
• empowering women to make evidence-based decisions about their care.

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Source: BBC News, 23 February 2022

Source: BBC News,