Streeting accused of ‘betrayal’ by maternity campaigners

A campaign group representing families involved in maternity failures says its members feel “completely betrayed” by the health and social care secretary, and are calling for greater scrutiny of national NHS decisions.

The Maternity Safety Alliance includes families from several of the 14 trusts that will feature in the investigation confirmed today, as well as some from Nottingham, which is subject to a separate investigation.

The 14 were named today, following Mr Streeting’s announcement of the investigation in June. Some campaigners have welcomed the process, but others remain sceptical and continue to call for a full public inquiry.

In a strongly worded statement, the MSA said the terms of the Amos review had not been co-produced with families as promised. They said they were still in the dark about many details. Wes Streeting has not met with them since the investigation was announced, they said, and letters to him have gone unanswered.

They said that Promises from Mr Streeting about “co-production” have not been carried through, with no consultation over the make-up of the investigation team, final terms of reference not being shared with families and feedback ignored. Families said they have been “gaslit” by government claims that they have been involved, when their views have in fact not been listened to.

Families called for the most serious harms to be focused on, but they feel this has been ignored and there is no mention of deaths caused by negligence in the draft terms seen by the group.

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Source: HSJ, 15 September 2025