This letter below, with a large number of signatories, was published in the Guardian in response to an inflammatory, scaremongering 'opinion' piece in the Guardian on the 4 July 2021
The headline to the article by Sonia Sodha, “No evidence and little research – it’s no wonder that women and babies continue to die”, could not be further from the truth. There is extensive high-quality evidence examining the problems Sodha describes, including on prevention of mother and baby deaths, prevention of harm and psychological trauma, the impact of inequalities and ethnic disparities. Research addresses the need for access to interventions when necessary and avoiding unnecessary interventions, and the provision of high-quality maternity care and continuity of carer. Studies examine women’s views and experiences of maternity care. The problem is not lack of evidence but the lack of consistent and adequately resourced implementation of all relevant evidence to ensure safe quality care for all.
It is crucial that we respond effectively and compassionately to the reports of the “terrible care” described not only by Sodha, but also in recent reviews and now in the House of Commons health and social care committee report on the safety of maternity services in England.
Journalists have a critical role in helping public understanding of why poor care occurs, and how it might be prevented. Knowledge of evidence would help us move beyond polarised debate and support the best possible outcomes and experience for all women, their babies, partners and families.
Professor Mary Renfrew, Professor emeritus, University of Dundee
Professor Susan Bewley, Emeritus professor (honorary) in obstetrics and women’s health, King’s College London
Lia Brigante, Consultant midwife public health, St Thomas’ Hospital London
Sheila Brown, Lead midwife in education and lecturer in healthcare sciences (midwifery), Bangor University
Dr Sarah Buckley, Researcher, faculty of medicine, The University of Queensland
Sheena Byrom, Midwife, director All4Maternity
Dr Jenny Carter, Tommy’s National Centre for Maternity Improvement Research, fellow/senior research midwife, Department of women and children’s health, King’s College London
Professor Helen Cheyne, Professor of maternal and child health research,NMAHP research unit, Faculty of health sciences and sport, University of Stirling
Dr Sarah Church, Head of division and associate professor of midwifery, School of health and social care, London Southbank University
Dr Jo Dagustun, Campaign steering group, Association for improvements in the Maternity Services
Florence Darling, Midwife, researcher, PhD student, City, University of London
Meryl Dimmock, Senior lecturer in midwifery,University of Bedfordshire
Professor Soo Downe, Professor of midwifery studies, University of Central Lancashire
Dr Claire Feeley, Associate researcher, School of community and maternity, University of Central Lancashire
Dr Evita Fernandez, Obstetrician, Chairperson, Fernandez Foundation, India
Kelda Folliard Specialist midwife, Skylark team and integrated perinatal pathway, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Jane Forman, Senior midwifery lecturer, Kingston and St George’s Joint Faculty
Jo Gould, Senior lecturer in midwifery, University of Brighton
Dr Mari Greenfield, Post-doctoral fellow, Women and children’s health, King’s College London
Dr Angela Graves, Associate professor in maternal care
Director of practice, lead midwife for education, University of Leeds
Veronica Bianco Gutierrez, Midwife, University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton
Katherine Hales, National coordinator Association of Radical Midwives
Dr Jenny Hall, Independent midwifery educator and researcher, Liverpool
Dr Carolyn Hastie, Griffith University, Queensland
Professor Alexander Heazell, Professor of obstetrics, University of Manchester
Professor Billie Hunter, Professor of midwifery and director, WHO CC for midwifery development Cardiff University
Jillian Ireland, Midwife, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Professor Martha Livingston, Professor and chair, public health, State University of New York
Professor Christine McCourt, Professor of maternal health, centre lead, centre for maternal & child health research, School of health sciences, City, University of London
Professor Alison Macfarlane, Professor of perinatal health, Centre for maternal and child health research, City, University of London.
Ann-Marie Madely, Doctoral researcher, midwife, Faculty of wellbeing, education and language studies, The Open University
Professor Jayne Marshall, Foundation professor of midwifery, lead midwife for education, University of Leicester
Joyce Marshall, Senior lecturer, Department of nursing and midwifery, University of Huddersfield
Professor Alison McFadden, Director, mother and infant research unit, University of Dundee
Emma Mills, Consultant midwife, Aneurin Bevan University Hospital Wales
Dr Elsa Montgomery, Senior lecturer in midwifery, Florence Nightingale faculty of nursing, midwifery and palliative care, King’s College London
Sir Jonathan Montgomery, Professor of health care law, University College Hospital London, Member Morecambe Bay investigation panel
Zoe Nelson, LMNS lead midwife for Cornwall & IOS/SW maternal and neonatal safety improvement programme, Regional clinical maternity MatNeoSIP rep/midwifery ambassador
Mary Newburn, Mary Newburn Consulting, Service user engagement and research
Dr Sally Pezaro, Lecturer, School of nursing, midwifery and health, Coventry University
Hilary Rosser, Research midwife, Sheffield
Louise Speakman, Midwifery educator, University of Central Lancashire
Dr Tomasina Stacey, Reader in midwifery practice, University of Huddersfield/Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Juliet Wood, Senior lecturer in midwifery, Bournemouth University
Becky Westbury, Midwife, Hywel Dda University Health Board
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