Maternity reforms “don’t go far enough”, says father who lost stillborn son
Thomas Hender warns new NHS standards are too limited and questions why trusts aren’t required to follow national guidance
A father who lost his stillborn son at Birmingham City Hospital has criticised new maternity reforms, warning they fail to address the full scale of problems in care.
The NHS is rolling out new clinical standards aimed at improving maternity services, including more mental health checks and easier access to midwives, amid ongoing concerns about care in England — including in Sandwell and West Birmingham.
But Thomas Hender says the measures are too limited and risk leaving families without proper protection.
“As far as I’m aware, the new risk assessments for blood clotting and mental health issues are actions that were already in progress,” he said. “They do not cover the full breadth of problems faced by the maternity service.”
He also raised concerns that NHS trusts are not required to follow national guidance, meaning standards can vary.
“You have to question what the point of guidance is if trusts don’t have to comply with it,” he said. “Guidance that doesn’t apply everywhere is pointless.”
Mr Hender believes the government’s wider response falls short of what is needed to address systemic issues in maternity care.
“The maternity and neonatal investigation… falls far short of the investigation that is required,” he said. “The only approach that can look at the whole system is an independent statutory public inquiry.”
He added that many cases, including stillbirths before 37 weeks, are not subject to independent investigation.
“Most stillborn babies are not allowed any form of investigation that is independent of the hospital where the harm occurred,” he said. “There is no accountability.”
Mr Hender argues that without a full, independent inquiry, meaningful change will be difficult to achieve.
“The changes are a light touch and are only looking at some of the issues,” he said. “Without a national public inquiry, the full extent of the issue will not be able to be fixed for future generations.”