Maternity inquiry: The process

The inquiry, which ran over the course of a year, went through the following stages: 

1. Summary of current research
At the inquiry’s outset, the King’s Fund conducted a brief review of the literature to inform the inquiry’s deliberations.
Read summary paper (156 kb)

2. Call for evidence
The inquiry issued a call for evidence from professionals and organisations in April 2007.
More on the call for evidence

3. Site meetings and visits
During the course of the inquiry the panel visited six maternity units in different parts of the UK and held meetings with 14 individuals and organisations.

4. Report by the Picker Institute
To further support the inquiry, the King’s Fund commissioned the Picker Institute to conduct in-depth interviews with 30 women who had a recent birth experience.
Download the report on women's views (667 kb)

5. Final recommendations
The final report from the inquiry, including key recommendations, was published in February 2008.
Download the final report - Safe Births: Everybody's business

• More on the inquiry's call for evidence
• The inquiry panel and team
• More on our maternity seminar series
• Resources on maternity safety