The latest CQC State of Care report is a damning reflection on the state of the NHS and the inability of current structures to address significant failings and systemic inequalities across the health system.
The report finds that too many women and birthing people are receiving poor quality maternity care, with nearly half the locations inspected by the CQC’s national maternity inspection programme rated as either requiring improvement (36%) or inadequate (12%).
Only bold action at a national level can address these issues.
That is why we are calling for a SAFE Maternity Care Act that upholds human rights for everyone throughout pregnancy, birth and in the postnatal period – an act that ensures Safety, Accountability, Freedom of Choice and Equity are at the core of the maternity system. Read more about it here or below.
We need a SAFE Maternity Care Act
We have set out our calls for a new SAFE Maternity Care Act to make crystal clear how the law applies to all those who manage, deliver and regulate maternity care. There has never been a more critical time to face up to the realities of systemic racism and take collective action to dismantle it.
Either everyone has human rights, or no one does.
If you are concerned about the maternity care you are receiving and believe your rights are not being respected, you can contact Birthrights’ advice and information team.
Contact Birthrights’ Advice ServiceBirthrights also delivers training to those who design, deliver, manage and regulate maternity care to increase awareness and understanding of how Human Rights law applies to maternity care and why this is critical to the delivery of safe care.