Expert Resigns From NHS Maternity Review Over Removed “Normal Birth Drive” Criticism
Dr Bill Kirkup has resigned from a government-commissioned review into NHS maternity services, saying criticism of the “normal birth drive” ideology was removed from the final report against his objections. Kirkup, who led inquiries into the Morecambe Bay, East Kent and Nottingham maternity scandals, told the BBC he could not stand behind a report that omitted what he sees as a central cause of many maternity failings. The revelation follows Tuesday’s publication of the Baroness Amos-led inquiry into NHS maternity services. The scandal significantly amplifies the political pressure on Health Secretary Wes Streeting and on the incoming Burnham administration to deliver credible maternity-service reform.
The “normal birth drive” refers to the maternity ideology that emphasised avoiding medical interventions where possible, which several inquiries have found contributed to preventable stillbirths and maternal injuries at trusts including Morecambe Bay and Shrewsbury. Kirkup’s resignation implies the final Amos report will be seen as insufficiently critical of that ideology and will trigger fresh calls for a further independent review. The interaction with the maternity-policy politics ahead of the Burnham transition means the incoming health team will face immediate pressure to commission additional review work.