A former NHS investigator has voiced her disappointment with Baroness Valerie Amos's national review into maternity and neonatal services, stating that its recommendations do not adequately address the scale of systemic failures. Amanda Ford, who became a whistleblower after her concerns about maternity care at Yeovil District Hospital were reportedly ignored, insists that a public inquiry is the only route to achieving the accountability deserved by bereaved families.
Ford resigned from her position in 2020, claiming that a 'healthy baby died' at Yeovil District Hospital due to what she described as 'appalling conditions'. She had previously raised concerns about a shortage of consultants at the hospital in both 2017 and 2019 while working for the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB). Yeovil District Hospital is one of twelve NHS trusts whose maternity services were scrutinised by Baroness Amos's review.
The review found significant issues at Yeovil District Hospital's maternity service, noting that care was inconsistent, poorly coordinated, slow to respond, and often dismissive of families' concerns. Worryingly, it also revealed instances where women with high-risk pregnancies, despite being promised consultant-led care, never saw a consultant. Furthermore, families reported experiencing differential treatment based on their race and ethnicity. These findings echo concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2024, which led to the temporary closure of Yeovil's maternity services.
Baroness Amos's review put forward eight recommendations aimed at redesigning the maternity and neonatal system to deliver fundamental change. Key among these was the proposal for a 'statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner' to oversee improvements, and a directive for the entire system, including the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS trusts, to 'take action to listen to the voices of women, birthing people and families'. However, Ford believes these measures do not go far enough to address the 'harm and the system failure at every level'.
Dr Melanie Iles, chief medical officer for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which oversees Yeovil District Hospital, has acknowledged the trust's shortcomings. She stated, "We say sorry to anyone who has had a traumatic experience, been let down, not been listened to, or been harmed by our services," and confirmed the trust's commitment to implementing the recommendations outlined in the Amos report. The ongoing scrutiny highlights the persistent challenges within some NHS maternity services and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure patient safety and restore public confidence.
Source: BBC