Latest news with #EastKent
Times
8 hours ago
- Health
- Times
Wes Streeting announces investigation into NHS maternity services
Wes Streeting has announced the launch of a national investigation into NHS maternity services. Speaking in east London, the health secretary said the new rapid review, which will report by Christmas, was intended to provide truth to families suffering harm, as well as drive urgent improvements to care and safety. He told the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) conference: 'For the past year, I have been meeting bereaved families from across the country who have lost babies or suffered serious harm during what should have been the most joyful time in their lives. • 'After my baby died, NHS colleagues mocked me' 'What they have experienced is devastating — deeply painful stories of trauma, loss, and a lack of basic compassion — caused by failures in NHS maternity care that should never have happened. Their bravery in speaking out has made it clear: we must act — and we must act now.' He pointed to 'appalling scandals' in the past 15 years in Shrewsbury, Telford, East Kent, and Nottingham. Officials at the Department of Health and Social Care said the investigation would examine the entire maternity system, including an urgent review into the worst-performing services. The department is also launching a 'national maternity and neonatal taskforce' to be chaired by the health secretary. Labour one year on: send us your voice notesWhat one Labour policy has affected you or your family most and why?Please share your response with us in a voice message on WhatsApp. You can reach us at +44 (0)7353096428. Streeting said giving birth carried risk but 'that risk is considerably higher than it should be because of the state of the crisis in our maternity and neonatal services'. Despite previous government initiatives, inequalities in maternal and neonatal outcomes have become 'more visible, not less', he said, adding that the rate of late maternal deaths has been consistently rising. He said: 'Babies of black ethnicity are twice as likely to be stillborn than babies of white ethnicity, and black women are still two to three times more likely to die during pregnancy or shortly after birth than white women. Tragically, that gap is closing slightly, but partly because more white women are dying in childbirth.' 'It's clear something is going wrong,' Streeting continued. 'Maternity care should be the litmus test by which this government is judged on patient safety, and I will do everything in my power to ensure no family has to suffer like this again.'
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Streeting launches investigation into NHS maternity services
Wes Streeting has announced a national investigation into the state of maternity care. Speaking at Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists World Congress, the Health Secretary said he was launching the review after meeting dozens of families who had been bereaved by failings. Last week he met parents whose babies had died at hospitals including in Nottingham, Leeds and East Kent, Shrewsbury and Telford, Morecambe Bay. Mr Streeting said: 'I know nobody wants better for women and babies than the thousands of NHS midwives, obstetricians, maternity and neonatal staff, and that the vast majority of births are safe and without incident, but it's clear something is going wrong. 'That's why I've ordered a rapid national investigation to make sure these families get the truth and the accountability they deserve, and ensure no parent or baby is ever let down again. I want staff to come with us on this, to improve things for everyone.' He added: 'We're also taking immediate steps to hold failing services to account and give staff the tools they need to deliver the kind, safe, respectful care every family deserves.' Maternity services have been plagued by a succession of scandals, leading families to call for a national statutory inquiry. While many of the scandals are historical, Mr Streeting is understood to have apologised to them for not ensuring more swift action from the Government.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colchester Gladiators appeal for referee for next home game
Referee - The Colchester Gladiators are in need of a referee Picture: JOHN SINGER A GAME of American football is at risk unless a Colchester team finds a referee. The Colchester Gladiators American Football Club are facing the East Kent Mavericks on June 22. However, the key home tie is at risk, as there are currently no referees for the game. Advertisement In a statement, the club said: 'The Colchester Gladiators have been informed by the league that we won't be supplied any BAFRA referees for our home game against the East Kent Mavericks on June 22. 'We urgently need any level one qualified BAFA coaches to assist us in providing a safe and fair game day experience. 'If you can assist, please contact the club for further details.' Referees need to be BAFA-qualified level one coaches. Anyone who can help should contact the football club on social media or email chairman@
Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Times
New maternity safety scheme is welcome, but NHS culture needs tackling
The rollout of the avoiding brain injury in childbirth (ABC) scheme across maternity units in England after a successful pilot has been heartening. It marks a bold and necessary response to a series of devastating public inquiries into NHS failings. But the NHS's history is littered with ambitious initiatives that have faltered because of cultural resistance. Healthcare professionals are stretched, under-supported, and weary of top-down directives that feel disconnected from the realities of clinical care. Implementing ABC will require more than guidance — it will require leadership at every level, protected time for training, and support systems that reward transparency over defensiveness. The public inquiries included investigations into the maternity scandals at Morecambe Bay, Shrewsbury & Telford, and East Kent, which repeatedly exposed systemic issues
