NHS maternity units often cover up harmful errors in childbirth, report finds

The Guardian World

by Denis Campbell Health policy editor

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation was launched to examine concerns about safety, quality, and fairness in maternity care across England. A recent damning report reveals shocking practices within NHS maternity units, including the falsification of medical records, cover-ups of harmful errors, and denial of answers to families who have experienced negligence during childbirth. The findings highlight systemic failures that have caused emotional and psychological distress for countless families. According to Lady Amos, chair of the investigation, hospitals often resort to “cover-up” tactics when mistakes occur. This includes banning families from participating in investigations into errors they believe are poorly conducted or fail to reflect the true circumstances. Such practices drive distressed parents to pursue legal action as a means of seeking justice after being denied openness and honesty following harm or bereavement. The report also sheds light on disturbing trends in patient care, including disputes among maternity staff that have had a “disastrous” impact on mothers. Additionally, it underscores how racial discrimination and systemic inequalities contribute to poorer outcomes for ethnic minority women and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Families who have lost a baby due to negligence are often failed by healthcare providers, receiving inadequate compassion or support during their grief. These findings raise serious concerns about the transparency and accountability of NHS maternity services. The report calls for urgent reforms to ensure that families are treated with dignity and given proper avenues to seek justice. By addressing these issues, the NHS can rebuild trust with patients and improve the quality of care for all women and babies in its system. This matters not only for the integrity of healthcare systems globally but also for ensuring equitable access to safe and respectful maternity care.

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/26/2026