Labour MP Appointed as First Government Maternity Adviser

A Labour MP who experienced complications during childbirth at Nottingham University Hospitals has been named the government's first national maternity adviser. The MP for Sherwood Forest will work with families, the government, the NHS and maternity organisations to push for better, safer care for mothers, babies and families, the Department of Health said.

Background on the Appointment The MP shared her experience of giving birth to her son in 2020, saying their lives were put at risk by a failing maternity service at the trust. She is also chair of the all-party parliamentary group for maternity and will sit as a member on the national maternity and neonatal taskforce.

The MP said the role is deeply personal and that she will work to drive forward meaningful reform focused on safer staffing, stronger accountability, listening to women, tackling inequalities and ensuring lessons are learned when failures happen.

“I am honoured to have been appointed as the national maternity adviser to the government. This role is deeply personal to me.”

Health Secretary James Murray said far too many women and families have been let down by maternity services and that the MP brings the commitment and expertise the role demands. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, welcomed the appointment and said she looks forward to working together to improve maternity care across the country.

An independent inquiry into failings at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, will be published in June. The review, which involves about 2,500 families, began in September 2022 after allegations of harm to mothers and babies and is the largest inquiry of its kind in NHS history.