Black women face maternity care crisis as racism a 'core driver', MPs warn

Black women in England are being ignored and face disproportionately poor outcomes in maternitycare, MPs have warned.

In its inquiry, the Health and Social Committee “repeatedly” heard that racism is “one of the core drivers”. It also cited “systemic failings” in leadership, training, data collection and accountability.

Black women are 2.3 times more likely to die in pregnancy, childbirth, or the postnatal period than White women, according to recent figures.

The committee’s report describes the "failure to confront deep-rooted inequities in maternitycare" as "unjust", and warns it "carries deep human and systemic costs, including increased financial strain on health services, diminished workforce resilience, and erosion of public trust".

READ MORE: Black women "ignored" and suffer stillbirths in NHS maternity care rife with racism

MPs acknowledged that failings in care for Black women are taking place in the context of a maternity system that “is failing women more broadly”.

It highlighted that the NHS in England has paid £27.4billion in maternity negligence since 2019, which is estimated to be greater than the total maternity budget for the same period.

Paulette Hamilton, acting chair of the committee, said: “Safe maternal care for Black women depends on a workforce that listens to, understands and respects their needs.

“For that to happen, maternal services must be properly prepared, equipped and resourced. Leadership must be effective but it must also be accountable. This report proves that this is not, currently, the case.”

The Labour MP continued: “In-built structural racism in maternity services repeatedly fails black women.

“Acknowledging this and addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes must be one of the investigation's core aims.

“This has to be the turning point for England’s maternity services and particularly for Black women if we are to achieve equity.”

The committee has urged the Department of Health and Social Care to work with the NHS, the Royal College of Midwives and the Nursing and Midwifery Council to introduce mandatory cultural competency training for all midwives, which it said should be informed directly by the experience of black women.

A National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, has also been set up, made up of experts and bereaved families. The investigation is expected to conclude in December.

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