🔴Breaking News - Appointed as Government's National Maternity Advisor
Today, I am honoured to announce that I have been appointed as the National Maternity Advisor to the Government.
This role is deeply personal to me. Before I was a politician, I was - and always will be - a mother. Like far too many women across this country, I know what it feels like to come through childbirth carrying both physical and emotional scars. That experience has shaped me, driven me, and strengthened my determination to fight for safer, more compassionate maternity care for every family.
Please see my statement below ⬇️
NEW - Nottinghamshire MP @MichelleWelshMP has been appointed as the government’s first Maternity Advisor. The role will champion the voices of families let down by services. She’s also part of Nottingham’s maternity review, as a mother impacted by care.
I’m hearing a lot of concerns about what Wes Streeting’s resignation means for the various maternity reviews that have been announced.
Streeting spent a considerable amount of time listening to harmed and bereaved families, sometimes against the wishes of his officials. (1/4)
NEW: Sussex maternity inquiry to review more than 1,000 cases, it’s confirmed. From a Gov promise to review the deaths of nine babies, families have fought to secure a full inquiry into care spanning years. It will cover harm to mothers and babies https://t.co/ivlDmZWoQy
NEW - Nottingham’s maternity review will be published on June 24th 2026. More than 2,500 cases of baby deaths and injuries are part of the review, which has run for almost 4 years. It’s the largest investigation into maternity failings in the history of the NHS. @ITVCentral
NEW: The Green Party has now officially ditched its dangerous policy of promoting ‘normal’ child birth at its Spring Conference, I understand. Having been “fast-tracked” this morning “with no objections or debate”, it has now been voted through by members by 652 votes to 34.
Such brilliant news for Rupert! I’m delighted to hear of this positive progress. I think @michellewelshmp is a total QUEEN 👑 for everything she does for her constituents & #safematernitycare across Notts & the country but that’s just old DO!!! ❤️
What a week! On Monday, after a year of reporting on maternity failures at an NHS Trust, an independent inquiry was announced by the health secretary @wesstreeting into what had gone so “catastrophically wrong” at Leeds NHS Trust’s 2 maternity units. 1/6
https://t.co/IQjK7MoHdg
And now this - HUGE development on a story I’ve been reporting on for the last year. Before he was at the CQC, Mr Hartley spent a decade as the boss of Leeds NHS Trust - where we revealed dozens of deaths of babies and mothers may have been prevented.
https://t.co/emKpR7fcTm
@Rebeccasmt I’m so sorry Rebecca.
Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope that now you have a diagnosis they can help you manage your symptoms.
Bereaved families have demanded the Government act on “perverse” lack of scrutiny of stillbirths. They want their childrens deaths subject to independent, coronial oversight, and explain there is a legal duty on ministers to act. Link in next post…