A new taskforce, which will assist in tackling the current disparities seen in maternity care, has been set up by the government.
The Maternity Disparities Taskforce will focus on addressing the poor outcomes for women from ethnic minority communities as well as those living in deprived areas by identifying barriers these groups face.
Data has shown that black women are 40 percent more likely to experience miscarriage compared to white women.
The taskforce has been established by Maria Caulfield, Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care and Chief Midwifery Officer, Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE, to create a better understanding into the reasons for poor outcomes in maternity care.
Minister for Women’s Health, Maria Caulfield, said: “For too long disparities have persisted which mean women living in deprived areas or from ethnic monitory backgrounds are less likely to get the care they need, and worse, lose their child. We must do better to understand and address the causes of this.
“The Maternity Disparities Taskforce will help level-up maternity care across the country, bringing together a wide range of experts to deliver real and ambitious change so we can improve care for all women, and I will be monitoring progress closely.
“As a nurse, I know how incredibly challenging the last two years have been and would like to thank all our dedicated maternity staff for their hard work and commitment throughout the pandemic”.
The government has set a target to reduce the number of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, maternal deaths, and brain injuries by half within the next three years.
Since 2010, stillbirth rates have reduced by over 25 percent and neonatal mortality rates have reduced by 29 percent.
Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Chief Midwifery Officer for England, said: “The NHS’ ambition is to be the safest place in the world to be pregnant, give birth and transition into parenthood all women who use our maternity services should receive the best care possible, which is why the NHS is committed to reducing health inequalities and our Equity & Equality guidance sets out how the NHS will do this.
“We welcome the extra impetus and support that the new taskforce will provide in tackling these important issues and look forward to participating in it”.
According to data, there is nearly double the number of mortality rates in Asian women than there is in white women.
There is also a severe gap in health outcomes for women and babies from deprived areas with Birmingham having the highest rates of mortality and stillbirths at 11.4 per 1,000.
The new taskforce will look to implement interventions such as:
- Improving personalised care and support plans for mothers.
- Addressing wider societal issues and the affects they have on maternal health.
- Improving education around maternity.
- Increasing access to maternity care.
