Michael Buchanan, a social affairs correspondent, has reported on campaigners questioning Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s dedication to maternity safety after the Department of Health reduced funding levels. Initially, nearly £100m was allocated annually to enhance maternity safety following the release of an interim report detailing substandard care at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS trust. However, modifications by the Department of Health now indicate that only £2m of the funding will be specifically designated for maternity care this year. Rhiannon Davies, who tragically lost her daughter due to inadequate care at the trust, criticized the move as “an absolute betrayal by Wes Streeting”.
The Royal College of Midwives condemned the funding decision, referring to it as a severe blow to maternity safety. The review into maternity care at the Shrewsbury and Telford trust highlighted that better care could have saved at least 201 babies and nine mothers. In response to the release of an interim report in March 2021, NHS England pledged to increase expenditure on maternity care by £95m annually. However, an analysis conducted by the Health Service Journal revealed that only £2m of the allocated funds will be ringfenced for the year 2025/26, with the rest left to the discretion of the Integrated Care Boards across England.
Ms. Ockenden, the senior midwife who authored the initial report, expressed disappointment over the decision to reallocate the funding intended for maternity care. Removing the ringfencing on the funding could potentially lead to cuts in maternity budgets, creating concerns among maternity staff. The Royal College of Midwives strongly criticized Streeting’s decision, labeling it as short-sighted and unacceptable. They emphasized that the budget cuts would hinder efforts to improve maternity safety, undermining progress made in the field.
Rhiannon Davies, a key figure in initiating the inquiry into the Shrewsbury case, voiced strong disapproval of the health secretary’s actions. The funding was originally intended to prevent others from experiencing the enduring pain of losing a child. The Department of Health and Social Care maintained that maternity care remains a priority within the health service, reassuring that the same level of funding is being delivered as part of broader ICB allocations. They emphasized the importance of local healthcare leaders having flexibility in decision-making to address community needs effectively. The department pledged their commitment to aiding hospital trusts in making rapid improvements and training additional midwives as part of their Plan for Change initiative
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