Council sets out plan to tackle stark inequalities in maternity care

Southwark council has unveiled a plan to improve maternity outcomes for black, Asian and minority ethnic women after a nine-month investigation revealed stark inequalities in maternity care in the borough.

In January, Southwark council established a maternity commission after a national report published last year revealed that women from black ethnic groups were four times more likely to die in pregnancy than those from white groups, and women from Asian ethnic backgrounds almost twice as likely.

The Southwark Maternity Commission, co-chaired by councillor Evelyn Akoto, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and professor Dame Donna Kinnair, published its final report today.

Cllr Akoto, said: “Fifteen years ago, I went through a traumatic childbirth that highlighted just how important supportive and consistent maternity care is to a healthy birthing experience.

“The UK is known for being one of the safest places to give birth, yet the sad reality revealed in today’s report is that Black and Brown women continue to experience far worse outcomes than their White counterparts.”

The commission heard from more than 750 Southwark women, families, and healthcare professionals. The report found that survey respondents of a black or black British ethnicity were more likely to detail a negative experience compared to any other ethnic group.

Many women reported feeling “dismissed” or “overlooked” by healthcare providers, while fathers and male carers voiced frustration at being excluded from critical conversations and decisions.

The Commission heard how women had received interventions, such as emergency cesarean sections and being kept under observation, without being told why, even after the event.

There were also examples of women’s symptoms being dismissed by maternity staff and GPs, including one woman who had a miscarriage alone in the toilet after her labour pains were ignored by doctors.

The council has put forward ten recommendations as part of a five year plan for the local authority and national Government.

Recommendations for the Government include the introduction of policies to tackle racism and inequalities in maternity care as well as working with local authorities to implement a system for recording and responding to maternal health data, with a focus on ethnicity to ensure equitable care.

The report also calls for a review of maternity staff pay and working conditions in the NHS, and improving communication and collaboration between healthcare providers and Southwark council.

Jacqui Kempen, head of maternity NHS South East London Local Maternity and Neonatal System, said: “This report is welcome. 

“We recognise that we still have considerable progress to make, but all of us in maternity and neonatal services across South-east London are fully committed to working with people, communities and our partners to ensure the best experience and outcomes.”

A strategic steering group will be established to monitor the progress of the Commission’s recommendations, involving the council, Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and South London and Maudsley, voluntary groups and maternity health advocates.  

A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “These findings highlight once again the stark and unacceptable inequalities that persist for women and their babies. This government will take action to close the Black and Asian maternal mortality gap and ensure that all women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care.

“Trusts failing on maternity care will be supported to make rapid improvements and we will train thousands more midwives to better support women throughout their pregnancy and beyond.”

Pictured top: From left, panel members Cheryl Rhodes, Professor Dame Donna Kinnair, Omar Campbell, Jacqui Kempen, Sandra Igwe, Cllr Evelyn Akoto and Dr Benedicta Agbagwara-Osuji at the commission’s first meeting on Tuesday (Picture: Southwark council)