Maternity Advisor to champion safer care for mothers and babies

Women and families failed by maternity services will be better heard and their experiences will drive lasting improvements to care, as Michelle Welsh MP has been appointed as the government’s first Maternity Advisor.

Welsh will work directly with families, the government, the NHS and key maternity organisations to push for better, safer care for mothers, babies and families.

She will meet regularly with ministers to share evidence and advice, and work with families and communities to bring a wide range of voices into the heart of the government’s action to improve maternity services. There will be a special focus on those from communities that face the greatest health inequalities.

Health and Social Care Secretary James Murray said:

"Far too many women and families have been let down by maternity services, and that must change.

"Michelle Welsh brings exactly the commitment and expertise this role demands, and I know she will be a powerful champion for the women and families.

"Today marks a significant step forward in our determination to make maternity care safer for every mother and baby in England."

Michelle Welsh, MP and Maternity Advisor 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.

"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.

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

Read full press release

Source: Department of Health and Care, 19 May 2026