14 NHS Maternity Units to Face National Investigation Into “Toxic” Culture
Fourteen NHS maternity units will be the focus of a national investigation aiming to end what has been described as a “toxic” cover-up culture that is causing babies to die avoidably. The move follows Baroness Amos’s inquiry findings published Tuesday and Dr Bill Kirkup’s resignation from the review over the removal of “normal birth drive” criticism. Amos has also recommended the creation of a Maternity Commissioner role. 39% of maternity units have been rated as substandard. Blackpool Victoria’s unit is one of those flagged in fresh local reports. The Kirkup resignation and the national-investigation move together represent the sharpest public accountability push on NHS maternity in years.
The 14 units targeted for national investigation will be named in the coming days by NHS England. The Amos report calls for a Maternity Commissioner role to sit outside NHS England’s existing governance chain and report directly to the Secretary of State. The Kirkup resignation over the “normal birth drive” omission adds a further pressure vector: it suggests the Amos report may itself have been softened during the drafting process. The Burnham incoming team will inherit both the national investigation and the pressure to commission additional independent review work. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said the government will act — specifics are expected before the leadership transition.