Thank you to everyone continuing to support this petition and the vital call for meaningful, four-nation learning in maternity and neonatal safety.
Today, Baroness Amos published her Reflections and Initial Impressions as she begins her rapid review into maternity and neonatal services in England. Crucially, she has confirmed that she is looking beyond England, actively following the national assessment underway in Wales and reviewing the recent report on midwifery services in Northern Ireland (see screenshot!)
For the thousands of families who signed this petition, this is an important step - one that recognises the need for consistent, transparent learning across all nations.
I also met with Baroness Amos one-to-one. She was open, clear, and committed to identifying what must change, without undermining the essential work of Operation Lincoln at West Mercia Police. Her aim is to report rapidly so the new Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce can act at pace.
Many families still seek a full statutory inquiry for accountability for past harm. But the mechanism for achieving that accountability may not be a statutory inquiry - and it should not be assumed that only one type of process can deliver it. What matters is that families affected by avoidable harm have a route to truth, recognition, and justice. And that route must exist alongside, not instead of, the urgent reforms needed now.
Families like mine still need accountability for what happened. But we also need change now, to protect women and babies today.
One important thing to flag: the Government will launch a Call for Evidence in January. It will be long, but please don’t let that put you off. Skip to the sections that matter most to you and make sure your experiences and priorities are placed directly in front of those who can create change.
As soon as I receive the link from DHSC, I will share it here.
I’ve posted a fuller reflection on LinkedIn, along with a link to Baroness Amos’s full document for anyone who wants to read it in detail. You can find it here:
Thank you, as always, for standing with us, for your own perseverance, your own courage, and your unwavering commitment to safer maternity and neonatal care across all four nations. It shouldn't continue to be such heavy lift, should it.