Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has declared that the government must address a "national safety scandal" within maternity services, as data indicates a record high in life-altering childbirth injuries in England. Analysis of NHS figures by the Liberal Democrats reveals that the number of women experiencing potentially life-threatening blood loss has reached its highest point ever recorded in England.
According to the analysis, three in every 100 women suffered severe tearing injuries requiring emergency surgery in the first half of this year. Sir Ed described this as a "devastating indictment of our NHS maternity services." The Liberal Democrats are advocating for an annual investment of £600 million in maternity services if they were to form the government, contrasting this with the current £1.3 billion spent annually on negligence compensation payouts for substandard maternity care. They argue this funding should instead be directed towards preventative measures.
"Our current maternity staff are run ragged - they're massively overstretched," Sir Ed stated, emphasizing the need for more senior midwives and consultants. He asserted that this increase in staffing is the most effective way to ensure the safety of maternity units, citing evidence supporting this claim. He further described the situation as a "scandal," pointing to numerous inquiries and the suffering of women and the loss of babies as a tragedy and a scandal.
The party highlighted Care Quality Commission (CQC) survey data indicating that approximately 54,000 women, or one in ten, were left unattended during the late stages of labor or childbirth last year, attributing this to insufficient training and staff shortages. More than 8,000 women have experienced postpartum hemorrhages with blood loss exceeding 1.5 liters since the beginning of this year, more than double the number recorded in the equivalent period in 2021, according to the party's analysis of NHS figures. The rate of major hemorrhage peaked between April and June this year, with 32.7 women per thousand requiring emergency treatment. The analysis also indicated a 29% rise in the rate of third or fourth-degree vaginal tears during childbirth over the past five years.
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan noted that reports on previous maternity scandals, such as the Shrewsbury and Telford case, are "gathering dust." She stated that women continue to suffer years after the Shrewsbury and Telford scandal, which significantly impacted her community. The Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust had previously faced scrutiny for catastrophic failures over two decades that may have led to over 200 infant deaths. The trust has since apologized and implemented measures to prevent recurrence.
A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson stated that a review to be published later this year will consolidate recommendations from various inquiries and establish clear priorities, holding the system accountable for improved outcomes. The spokesperson added that the new health secretary has prioritized maternity safety and that the government, through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, is committed to reforms ensuring high standards of care. England's first statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner will be appointed to ensure patient and family voices are central to national policy. The DHSC is also extending "Martha's Rule" to all maternity and neonatal wards to ensure patient and family concerns about deterioration are addressed, and has invested £187 million since April 2025 to mitigate critical safety risks in maternity and neonatal facilities.