Review Calls for Overhaul of Maternity Services in Northern Ireland

An independent review into maternity services in Northern Ireland, triggered by the death of baby Jaxon McVey, has called for urgent systemic overhauls to address serious weaknesses in care. Led by Professor Mary Renfrew, the review highlights unacceptable experiences faced by women, which have resulted in physical and emotional harm. Key recommendations include establishing community midwifery hubs, improving data monitoring, and fostering better relationships with women and families to ensure equitable and quality care. Concurrently, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) has raised alarms about the state of maternity care across the UK, emphasizing that the burden of ensuring positive birth experiences should not fall on women. The NCT's new checklist encourages parents to advocate for safe practices in maternity wards and stresses the importance of informed consent in decision-making. Both reports underline a pressing need for government action to resolve the crisis in maternity care, aiming for a standard of care that is consistent regardless of location.