Labour MP Michelle Welsh, a prominent campaigner on maternity safety, says there is a danger the Amos review will become a damp squib and is urging the government to act decisively, including creating a maternity commissioner responsible for ensuring care improves.
“This inquiry must result in some big, bold policies with regards to maternity services, that really says that as a government we want to improve maternity services, we want to invest in it, and we will secure the truth and accountability for families,” she said.
Announcing the review last June, Streeting also promised that he would chair a maternity taskforce early this year to drive improvements. But it’s emerged this week that the group has not yet been established. The Department for Health and Social Care said they would be announcing the membership “shortly”.
“It is important that the taskforce is established as soon as possible,” said Welsh, “because without it we don’t have that driving force [and] those big, bold policies.”