What the Interim Report on Maternity and Neonatal Care Tells Us

Healthwatch West Berkshire
12 hours ago
2 min read

On 26 February 2026, the Independent National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation published an interim report revealing deeply concerning findings about maternity and neonatal care across England. The investigation, led by Baroness Valerie Amos, has heard evidence from over 8,000 people and more than 400 families to date, and continues to gather input.

What the Report Highlights

The interim report makes clear that England’s maternity and neonatal system is struggling. Key themes include:

Inconsistent and unsafe care: Many women and families described feeling ignored, dismissed, or not listened to throughout pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.
Lack of compassion and transparency: When things go wrong, families often do not receive timely explanations, are excluded from investigations, or feel discouraged from raising concerns.
Staffing, culture and leadership challenges: Services face capacity pressures, workforce shortages, and cultures that sometimes minimise concerns rather than support improvement.
Inequalities and racism: Women from Black and Asian backgrounds and those living in deprived areas face disproportionately poorer outcomes. The report highlights systemic racism and discrimination as significant contributors to these disparities.
Infrastructure issues: Some facilities are outdated or poorly designed, impacting safety, infection control and dignity of care.

Voices of Families and Staff

Families who have experienced harm or loss are driving a desire for change. Many shared that failures in care had profound emotional, psychological and social impacts. Staff who engaged with the investigation also spoke about their commitment to quality care, but highlighted barriers including burnout and poor systems that hinder safe practice.

What Happens Next?

This is an interim report — no final recommendations are yet made. The investigation continues, with further evidence panels and calls for contributions open to the public until mid-March 2026. Baroness Amos and her team will publish full recommendations in spring 2026, aiming to drive lasting improvements across the NHS.