By Storm Newton
Copyright independent
Racism is “one of the core drivers of poor maternity outcomes for Black women in England”, MPs have said in a damning report.
The MPs added that Black women are being ignored when it comes to maternity care, with their concerns “not taken seriously”.
The issue is “reinforced by bias and stereotyping underpinned, in some cases, by racist assumptions”, according to a new report by the Health and Social Care Committee.
The investigation found black women “continue to face disproportionately poor outcomes in maternity care, shaped by systemic failings in leadership, training, data collection, and accountability”.
The report describes the “failure to confront deep-rooted inequities in maternity care” as “unjust”, and warns it “carries deep human and systemic costs, including increased financial strain on health services, diminished workforce resilience, and erosion of public trust”.
The committee has urged the Department of Health and Social Care to work with the NHS, the Royal College of Midwives and the Nursing and Midwifery Council to introduce mandatory cultural competency training for all midwives, which it said should be informed directly by the experience of black women.
Paulette Hamilton, acting chairwoman of the Health and Social Care Committee, said: “Safe maternal care for black women depends on a workforce that listens to, understands and respects their needs.
“For that to happen, maternal services must be properly prepared, equipped and resourced.
“Leadership must be effective but it must also be accountable. This report proves that this is not, currently, the case.”
Data shows black women are 2.3 times more likely to die during or in the first year after pregnancy than white women.
The report stresses that the “crisis in care” for black women is “happening in the context of a maternity system that is failing women more broadly”.
A national investigation into maternity care in England was announced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting in June.
It comprises two parts, with the first looking at trusts of greatest concern at the moment, while the second will include a “system-wide” look at lessons from past maternity inquiries to create one “clear set of actions”.
Earlier this week, some 14 NHS hospitals trusts that will be probed as part of the process were named.
Ms Hamilton added: “In-built structural racism in maternity services repeatedly fails black women.
“Acknowledging this and addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes must be one of the investigation’s core aims.
“This has to be the turning point for England’s maternity services and particularly for black women if we are to achieve equity.”
A National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by Mr Streeting, has also been set up, made up of experts and bereaved families.
The investigation is expected to conclude in December.
Reacting to the Health and Social Care Committee report, Professor Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, said: “We welcome the recommendations of this important report, which mirror many of the issues the observatory has consistently highlighted over several years.
“We advocate the critical need for healthcare professionals to have cultural understanding in midwifery and across the wider healthcare system, and to feel confident in caring for and treating women from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
“We know that diversifying healthcare education and training are crucial for understanding and improving outcomes for all. We identified this in our work to support healthcare staff, and mothers, in recognising jaundice in babies with black and brown skin.
“Evidence has repeatedly shown that a diverse healthcare workforce, equipped with culturally competent training, can better understand and address the needs of our patient populations. This will be important in increasing patient satisfaction, tackling health inequalities and improving health outcomes for all.”
