Maternity care must ‘put parents and children first’, says bishop

Bishop Mason welcomed the final report of the National Maternity and Neonatal Care Investigation led by Baroness Valerie Amos.

It is vital to “ingrain a culture of care in maternity and neonatal services”, Bishop Paul Mason, lead bishop for healthcare for the Catholic bishops’ conference of England and Wales, has said.

The investigation found that the rate of maternal mortality in the UK is 20 per cent higher than it was in 2009-11, when the government set an ambition to halve this rate, and that the number of women experiencing serious complications after labour has also risen. 

The rate at which mothers in the UK die during or shortly after childbirth currently stands at about 12.8 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies, which is high compared with other European countries.

The investigation follows a series of maternity care failings, including a review into maternity services at Nottingham University hospitals NHS trust, which revealed that more than 500 babies and mothers died or were injured as a result of inadequate care.

“Maternity and neonatal services occupy a unique place within our national healthcare system,” said Bishop Mason, adding that they must “provide a safe and loving environment for mothers and babies”.

“It is vital that such services provide effective accompaniment for parents, especially mothers, throughout their profound and sometimes challenging journey.”

He asked the government to “closely consider and respond to the findings of this report to ensure that parents and children are truly at the heart of all maternity care”.

“Maternity wards and neonatal units should foster a culture of life and care for every child and mother, both before and after birth.

“In particular, it is essential to listen to the needs of mothers and fathers and to respect their authority as parents in decisions concerning them and their children.

Bishop Mason also paid tribute to the “dedication” of those who work in maternity services, and said, “The staff who work in the system cannot be held responsible for cultural and institutional failings.”

He also said that the pastoral accompaniment which healthcare chaplains can provide is a “core element” of maternity care.

“As we proposed in our submission to the inquiry, it is important that parents are made aware of the chaplaincy provision available to them from the beginning of the maternity journey,” he said.

“The Church stands ready to offer pastoral support to families who are expecting a child, as well as to the staff who accompany them each day, often in challenging circumstances.”

Bishop prays for families affected by Nottingham maternity care scandal

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