Birthrights announces Sonia Adesara as New Chair of the Board of Trustees
Birthrights announces Sonia Adesara as New Chair of the Board of Trustees
Birthrights taking legal action against suspension of homebirth services by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Birthrights, Gloucestershire Maternity Action Group and an individual claimant have written to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and put them on notice of our intention to apply for judicial review of their decision to suspend the home birth service for an unspecified length of time, which was made in breach of human rights and equality law.
2025 – Birthrights’ Year in Review
2025 has been a year of change, growth and challenge for Birthrights.
But our mission remains clear.
Our maternity system is still in crisis, and it is more urgent than ever to do the work that will enable all women and birthing people to make informed, autonomous decisions about their care, free from coercion, discrimination or punishment.
Birthrights speaks out on the NMC’s Principles for Supporting Women’s Choices in Maternity Care
Birthrights welcomes the NMC’s expression of commitment to human-rights centred maternity care in its new Principles. However, to achieve this goal, principles which breach human rights law requirements must be amended, the role of doulas must be respected, and more attention must be paid to the support needed by midwives from their employers.
MPs debate Baby Loss in the House of Commons
The debate on Baby Loss was held yesterday (October 13) at the House of Commons, on Baby Loss Awareness Week. In our response as Birthrights, we want to be clear that a human rights-centred approach is still missing from the debate and discussions about the maternity care crisis.
The rise of punitive, criminalising and legalistic approaches targeting doulas: no one feels safe
Birthrights is seeing the rise of a concerning trend of punitive, criminalising and legalistic approaches targeting doulas. This undermines trust and endangers safety, creating an environment where no one can feel safe.
Birthrights’ evidence forms part of Health and Social Care Select Committee’s Black Maternal Health Report
The publication today of the Black Mental Health report confirms what we have long known – that systemic racism and disparities in maternity care are failing Black women and birthing people in England.
No improvement in maternal death rates or racial inequalities, finds latest MBRRACE report
The latest MBRRACE Report (link) has been published, and once again it shows no improvement in maternal death rates or in the stark inequalities that persist in the maternity sector.
These referrals are putting safety in maternity care at risk. No one can feel safe under these conditions.
Birthrights appoints new CEO
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Hazel Williams as new CEO of Birthrights.
Hazel is a passionate values-led leader who has led award-winning human rights and social justice charities. Currently she is the Director of Justice Together, leading a national programme to improve anti-racist practice in the migration sector and access to justice for people in the immigration system.
No one feels safe: why inappropriate referrals are putting safety in maternity care at risk
A spate of inappropriate referrals has recently come to our attention, involving both women and birthing people and healthcare professionals.
These referrals are putting safety in maternity care at risk. No one can feel safe under these conditions.