Maternity and neonatal commissioner to be enshrined in law

Karin Smyth MP. Credit: UK Parliament

By Rhiannon James, PA Media & Sarah Lowden

The new maternity and neonatal commissioner will be given statutory powers, a health minister has announced.

The new role was announced in June as part of efforts to make maternity and neonatal care safer, fairer and more consistent across England.

It has now been confirmed that the role will be given full statutory powers to “strengthen accountability” and “champion” the needs of pregnant women.

Addressing MPs in the commons on Monday, minister Karin Smyth said an amendment would be tabled to the Health Bill in the House of Lords.

The government decided to introduce a commissioner following the Amos review into maternity care which called for urgent changes to the system.

Speaking at report stage, Smyth told MPs: “We will be bringing forward an amendment to this bill in the other place to establish a statutory maternity and neonatal commissioner.

“We are determined to get this right.

“For too long, too many women, babies and families have not received the care and support they deserve.