Maternity Services Inquiry

In late 2006, The King’s Fund launched a year-long inquiry into the safety of maternity care in England. A four-member panel chaired by Professor Onora O’Neill  was appointed, all of whom were independent of maternity services, but together had considerable expertise in patient safety, regulation and delivering improvements in health care. The panel were supported by three expert advisers with backgrounds in midwifery, obstetrics and epidemiology.

The inquiry process went through a number of stages.

• The team began by reviewing relevant reports and other data on the safety of maternity care.
• In April 2007, they issued a ‘call for evidence’ from professionals working in maternity services. A summary of these responses was published.
  They also invited written evidence from key organisations working in maternity and patient safety. They held discussions with a selection of key individuals and organisations.
• They visited six maternity units to see some of the problems first hand.
• The King’s Fund commissioned the Picker Institute to produce a report based on in-depth interviews with 30 women who had recently given birth.
• The inquiry team published its findings in 2008. Safe Births: Everybody's business, sets out practical recommendations in seven key areas to improve the safety of maternity care.

The King’s Fund is committed to taking forward the inquiry’s findings and recommendations.