A mother's devastating loss has sparked a rallying cry for change in NHS maternity services. Shannon Lord's experience is a stark reminder that too many women are not being heard when they need it most – and it can have catastrophic consequences. Her newborn daughter, Ayla, died in February 2023 after an emergency caesarean section was delayed at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
According to the findings of an inquest in April 2025, delays in performing the procedure 'materially contributed' to Ayla's death. An internal review by NHS England found that abnormal readings from Ayla were identified via a monitor several hours before the decision for a caesarean was made. Tragically, despite resuscitation efforts and transfer to a hospital in Preston, Ayla was born not breathing and died 13 days later.
Shannon Lord's testimony is just one of many examples highlighted in a damning report by Baroness Valerie Amos into NHS maternity services across England. The report found that women are often 'not listened to, heard or believed', with an unwillingness to listen to families being a pervasive issue leading to inconsistent care standards and poor outcomes. In response, affected families are now calling for a comprehensive public inquiry into England's NHS maternity system.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has issued an apology for their failure to provide adequate care, acknowledging that they 'fell below the standards Ayla and her mother deserved'. The Trust also stated that work is underway to enhance care following the publication of Baroness Amos's report. A review into NHS maternity services found that families frequently reported a lack of clear explanations during critical periods in labour, compounding distress for those who experienced harm.
Shannon Lord, now a mother of two, is using her experience to advocate for fundamental changes in NHS maternity services. She stresses the importance of clear communication with mothers, ensuring they are fully aware of what is happening so they can 'use their voice and push for something to happen rather than just waiting around'. The need for urgent reform has been echoed by families across England who have experienced similar failures in care.