The NHS Providers report says maternity services must be a priority in the Government's 10-Year Health Plan.

Isabel Lawicka, director of policy and strategy NHS Providers, said: ‘Improving maternity services is a vital step toward fixing our wider health system and provides a litmus test for addressing system-wide inequalities.

‘We hope that the Government's 10-Year Health Plan will provide the roadmap of how we can reach the vision of maternity care laid out by trusts. Getting it right for the most vulnerable mothers and babies will be a measure of how successful the plan has been in creating real change and improving our national health and wellbeing.'

The report says a commitment to tackling racism in maternity is needed at every level of the health system, highlighting black women are up to three times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women. 

It comes after the announcement that Service Development Funding for maternity services will be slashed from £95m in 2024-25 to £2m in 2025-26 and follows NHS Resolution's annual report and accounts for 2023/24 which shows maternity services faced £1.15bn clinical negligence costs.

Other measures in the report include: funding targeted at areas with higher rates of inequalities; ensuring services have the maternity workforce they need for safe, high-quality care for patients; all national, regional and local policies to improve maternity services to be co-produced with women; more joined-up care aimed at making prevention a priority; and Family Hubs and Women's Health Hubs to build close links to maternity services.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘It is unacceptable that there are such stark inequalities in maternity services for women and babies, but through our Plan for Change, this government is determined to change that.

‘This starts with listening to women and families to ensure they receive the high-quality care they deserve, regardless of their background, location or ethnicity. 

‘We will support trusts to make rapid improvements, and we will train thousands more midwives to support women throughout their pregnancy and beyond.'