The reforms follow evidence showing that nearly half of recent maternal deaths may have been avoidable with improved care. Between 2022 and 2024, 252 maternal deaths were recorded in England.
Reviews found that in 45% of cases, better recognition, earlier intervention or improved communication could have changed outcomes. Many deaths were linked not to rare complications, but to common medical and mental health conditions that were missed, misdiagnosed or escalated too late.
Under the new mandatory standards, all maternity services must meet clear safety requirements, with direct board-level accountability and national oversight where Trusts fail to comply. Key changes include earlier blood clot risk assessments for all pregnant women, with preventative treatment provided within 72 hours for those at high risk. This follows recognition that venous thromboembolism is now the leading cause of maternal mortality.
Mental health screening will also become routine throughout pregnancy and after birth, responding to findings that suicide accounted for a third of maternal deaths occurring between six weeks and one year post-pregnancy. Faster referrals to specialist perinatal mental health services will be required where concerns are identified.
Additional reforms focus on improved care for women with epilepsy, quicker escalation during obstetric emergencies such as severe haemorrhage, and clearer thresholds for senior clinical involvement. NHS England has also acknowledged persistent inequalities in maternity care, particularly affecting Black and Asian women.
To support accountability, Trusts will report progress directly to their boards, while a new Maternal Outcomes Signal System will monitor maternity safety data in real time.
While the reforms aim to prevent future harm, they also highlight the reality that many families have already suffered avoidable outcomes, underscoring the importance of transparency, learning from past failures, and access to answers where care fell below acceptable standards.
If you believe you have experienced negligent care during or after your pregnancy, our Clinical Negligence team is here to help. You can contact us on 0161 665 3502 or by email at [email protected]
