MP failed by NHS appointed first maternity adviser

"Michelle Welsh, Labour MP for Sherwood Forest, will work with families, the government, the NHS and maternity organisations to push for "better, safer care for mothers, babies and families", the Department of Health said. Welsh said her personal experience had "strengthened my determination to fight for safer, more compassionate maternity care for every family". The independent inquiry into failings at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, will be published in June."

""I am honoured to have been appointed as the national maternity adviser to the government. "This role is deeply personal to me. Like far too many women across this country, I know what it feels like to come through childbirth carrying both physical and emotional scars. "That experience has strengthened my determination to fight for safer, more compassionate maternity care for every family. "As national maternity adviser, I will work tirelessly to drive forward meaningful reform focused on safer staffing, stronger accountability, listening to women, tackling inequalities and ensuring lessons are learned when failures happen.""

""Far too many women and families have been let down by maternity services, and that must change. "Michelle Welsh brings exactly the commitment and expertise this role demands, and I know she will be a powerful champion for the women and families.""

Michelle Welsh, Labour MP for Sherwood Forest, has been appointed the government’s first maternity adviser. She will work with families, the government, the NHS, and maternity organisations to push for better, safer care for mothers, babies, and families. Welsh’s appointment is tied to her personal experience of giving birth to her son William in 2020, when she said their lives were put at risk by failing maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals. An independent inquiry into failings at the NHS trust is due to be published in June. Welsh will focus on reform including safer staffing, stronger accountability, listening to women, tackling inequalities, and ensuring lessons are learned after failures.

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