Amos Review Finds Systemic Failings in NHS Maternity Care

A landmark review of NHS maternity and neonatal care in England, published on 30 June 2026, found patterns of avoidable harm, poor communication, and systemic failures across 12 NHS trusts. Baroness Valerie Amos led the investigation, which gathered more than 10,500 responses from women and families, surveyed over 9,000 NHS staff, and spoke directly to more than 450 families. Eight consistent themes were identified across all 12 trusts, with the most stark finding that women were routinely not listened to or believed, with serious consequences for the safety of their care. The government responded by pledging £41 million in additional maternity and neonatal safety funding, a new statutory National Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner, and a National Action Plan due in December 2026. Health Secretary James Murray described the report as a "watershed moment."

What the Review Found

Across all 12 trusts investigated, the review identified the same recurring failures: women excluded from decisions about their own care; inadequate responses when things went wrong; racial and ethnic discrimination affecting the quality of care received; buildings and equipment not fit for purpose; and IT systems that did not communicate with each other, creating safety risks at handover. The report described the maternity system as "fragmented, overstretched and not consistently designed to provide safe, equitable and compassionate care." Baroness Amos described some of the findings on racism and discrimination as among "the starkest examples" she had encountered.

What This Means for Patients

Patients in England who are pregnant or planning pregnancy have the right to choose their maternity provider for antenatal and birth care. If you have concerns about your current trust following this report, you can ask your GP or midwife to refer you to a different NHS maternity unit. Quality of care varies significantly between trusts, and the Right to Choose applies to maternity services. The CQC publishes inspection ratings for every NHS maternity unit in England. Until the National Action Plan is published in December 2026, checking your trust's CQC rating and speaking to your midwife about your options remains the most direct route to safer, better-matched care. You can compare NHS providers using the NHS Right to Choose framework.

How to Find a Better-Rated Provider

If you are unhappy with your current maternity provider, ask your GP for a re-referral. You can search NHS hospitals by specialty and use the CQC website to check the inspection rating of any maternity unit before you decide.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your GP, midwife, or a qualified clinician before making changes to your maternity care.