Key Summary
- Health secretary Wes Streeting has named Baroness Amos to lead an independent maternity and neonatal investigation
- Around 10 units will be reviewed, with terms shaped alongside affected families
- To uncover failings, deliver reforms, and ensure safer care, with initial recommendations due December 2025
Health secretary Wes Streeting has appointed Baroness Amos to lead an independent investigation into the national maternity and neonatal investigation to address the problems faced by the system.
Streeting appointed the new team after his interaction with the grieving families who requested for an outsider from the NHS to investigate the issue.
He said he was ‘appalled’ by harrowing stories he heard from mothers and fathers let down by the NHS.
“Families asked for fresh eyes, independence and compassion - and that’s why I’ve appointed Baroness Amos. Valerie has an outstanding record of leadership and driving change - nationally and internationally.
“She will work closely with families to uncover the truth, confront problems and drive the improvements needed so every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality care.”
The health secretary had in June announced his intention to conduct a review of maternity care.
Baroness Amos is currently Master of University College Oxford, and was previously a minister and a senior official at the United Nations.
She is backed by an expert team, who will carry out further interactions with the bereaved families.
The national investigation aims to review nearly 10 services in the country, including the maternity and neonatal systems to improve the safety of women and children.
The investigation will begin this summer producing the initial recommendations by December 2025.
Baroness Amos and her team will select 10 maternity and neonatal units for investigation, with terms set in collaboration with affected families in Leeds, Sussex, Nottingham and beyond.
The investigation is separate from the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by the health secretary, experts and families to promote change.
