A damning independent review has revealed widespread racism and discrimination within the maternity and neonatal services provided by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust (SWBH). The investigation, led by Baroness Valerie Amos as part of a national inquiry into 12 NHS trusts, heard numerous accounts from both families and staff detailing how care standards differed significantly based on a patient's ethnicity or background.
Investigators uncovered deep-seated issues including staff blaming patients for their circumstances, significant language barriers, and a pervasive lack of cultural sensitivity. Baroness Amos highlighted instances where women and families described experiencing discrimination themselves, as well as witnessing discriminatory behaviour towards other patients. Worryingly, staff members also reported experiencing racism within the workplace, with some breaking down during sessions as they recounted their experiences.
A particularly concerning finding was the dismissal of pain, especially among Black and Asian women. The review heard of a woman threatening to leave due to her pain being ignored, with a common sentiment that women from these communities are often told they have a 'higher threshold for pain'. This led to patients feeling compelled to exaggerate their symptoms to be taken seriously. Furthermore, families reported feeling judged and ignored, with some sent home after raising concerns, only for serious complications to emerge later.
The report also shed light on a troubling internal culture. Staff at SWBH, which operates the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital that opened in 2024, described a workplace where speaking up against discriminatory practices felt unsafe, fearing negative repercussions. This climate contributed to low morale and instances of bullying behaviour. Investigators themselves witnessed a racist incident among staff during their two-day visit, underscoring the severity of the cultural issues within the trust.
SWBH serves an area significantly more deprived than 91% of neighbourhoods in England, with a higher-than-average proportion of Asian and Black mothers. The review found that language used within the service sometimes suggested patients were 'outsiders' or responsible for their own poor outcomes due to cultural beliefs, language barriers, or decisions regarding medical interventions. Chief Executive Diane Wake expressed the trust's deep sorrow and stated they were 'appalled' by the report's findings, acknowledging that it is 'unacceptable that any woman or family felt they were not listened to, respected or treated fairly because of who they are or where they came from'.