Another day, another media enquiry (or three) … they are fewer and further between now, as so many voices have tragically joined ours in being able to speak out about the catastrophic, lifelong devastation that occurs when you fall victim to the appalling state of maternity ‘care’ in this country.  

It means journalists can pick and choose the trauma they re-tell and the victims they call on.

• But still, the story hasn’t changed.
• And the data hasn’t improved.  
• And the right questions aren’t being asked of, or answered by, the right people.  

In case you’re wondering what I’m on about, ‘The Birth Trauma Inquiry’ has published its entirely harrowing but equally unsurprising report today that once again doubles down on the fact maternity services in England are on their knees.  

• Women are suffering.  
• Babies are dying.  
• We are back to pre-Victorian times where you lie on sheets soiled by your own faecal matter and blood after your baby has died and the ‘care’ givers have laughed at or bullied you.

Don’t believe me – read the report.

All mirrored in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  But then, only Kayleigh, Colin, Richard and I seem to care about anywhere other than England?

Donna Ockenden was asked to describe the state of maternity services in England by maternity professionals: ‘services in England have been “vaporised”’ she said on Channel 4 News – no compassion, women being laughed at and bullied, left to lie in their own bodily fluids after their babies have died.

• And this is now normal.  
• No time to care.  
• Understaffed, underfunded, and…
• IMHO - led by those who are under-intelligent and overpaid.  

Whistle-blower testimony received by us four (Kay, Colin, Rich and me) from Bradford last month, and shared with the CQC, proves this.  From the board to the ward.  

• Bullying, manipulation, lawyers breathing down people’s necks.  
• Whistle-blowers being threatened in words written in excrement.  
• Self-serving bullying that is killing people.

And this is now normal?

But wait, somewhere in the darker corners of the NHS, (temporary) Health Secretary Victoria Atkins is probably rocking back and forth, caressing the press release that gaslights us all – 'we’ve invested so much, we’re investing so much more.'

It’s funny – if you want a laugh – because I’m disproportionately angry with people of influence who have got me out of bed early or kept me out of bed late – who I have bent over backwards to support with my expertise by experience.  I’ve been their click bait.  I’ve given them an opportunity for fake (?) empathy. And I’ve only ever done it to try and create change.  

People like Lorraine Kelly, (oooh she's a national treasure - how dare I), and programmes like This Morning.  They’ve used me.  Upset me.  Taken me away from my family.  Blown smoke and lies up my arse.  Then they turn to the next guest and forget the words they have PROMISED.

Lorraine Kelly promised that ‘she was listening’ after Ockenden, This Morning promised they’d follow our story and pursuit for truth, way back when.  Kelly hasn’t responded to a single data-filled communication post-Ockenden, submitted and ignored via her producer Fiona.  This Morning was nowhere to be seen when their coverage resulted in us being harassed and having to move town.

• Trust the system and if it fails.  You ARE on your own.  
• Fight back.  Be lucky and maybe you’ll get an inquest - that will be denied by the perpetrators of your child’s avoidable death…
• ‘Trust’ the media – be bloody careful who you trust.  
• Exceptions = local print, radio and TV media and Channel 4 News.

And all those who then spaff about and publish manfully weighty ‘meaningful’ (fake) testimony – but are doing the same thing and hoping for a different outcome.  OMG, you’re pathetic at worst and incredibly ignorant or living in cloud cuckoo land at best.  Been there done that.  In other words, nothing in today’s report is of use.  And guess what, there will be ANOTHER report all along the same lines coming next month from the CQC.  You heard it here first.

At least the CQC have had the decency to speak to and listen to Kayleigh Colin, Richard and me and tell us what’s in the report.  

1. It will be powerful.  
2. It will be depressing.  
3. Media outlets, gird your respective loins.  
4. But, no spoilers here as the CQC were respectful of us, so we’ll be respectful of them.

So… where are we at?  

Well, the ONLY fresh and good news is this, from Nicola Wise the CQC’s Director of Secondary and Specialist Care, after we asked her organisation to lead the charge and begin the incremental advance to create change on a national – all four nation – level :

 “We have had constructive discussions with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, during which we talked through our respective approach and oversight of maternity services.

“Both organisations expressed an eagerness for ongoing collaboration recognizing that by working together we can better identify learning and areas for action at a local, national, and potentially UK wide level.

“We hope to have a similar discussion with regulators in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks. Regulatory colleagues from Scotland also actively participated in a stakeholder workshop CQC hosted in March.

“The event involved around 100 senior leaders from maternity services and national partner organisations who came together to discuss best practice and identify practical actions needed to ensure a consistently high standard of care.

“The insight gathered on the day is being used to develop some additional CQC resources for maternity services and their staff to support the safe delivery of care. We will continue to work closely with our regulatory colleagues across the UK.

“Our ongoing and regular contact will act as a forum for knowledge exchange, sharing learning, and identifying where joint activity may be beneficial in encouraging improvements in practice.”

While all around us circle the plughole, believing doing the same thing and hoping for a different outcome is a GREAT idea, we four will be chipping away over here without ego to ACTUALLY create change and save lives.

Sign our petition if you want to be a part of change.  Thank you.