Systemic Racism in Maternity Care Continues to Endanger Black Women in England, MPs Warn

Published: 16 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Black women in England continue to face disproportionately poor outcomes in maternity care due to systemic racism, structural failings in leadership, and inadequate data collection, according to a stark report released by the health and social care committee of parliament.

The findings have reignited urgent concerns about racial disparities in the NHS, highlighting that despite years of warnings and advocacy, black women are still more than twice as likely to die during childbirth compared with white women. Babies born to black mothers are also at an increased risk of stillbirth, revealing a deeply troubling pattern of inequality within the healthcare system.

The committee concluded that these outcomes were not the result of isolated failures but instead reflected embedded systemic issues. Among the most serious failings were gaps in accountability and leadership, alongside ingrained bias and stereotyping that led to black women’s concerns being dismissed or not taken seriously during pregnancy and labour.

“Safe maternal care for black women depends on a workforce that listens to, understands and respects their needs,” said Paulette Hamilton, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington and acting chair of the committee. “Leadership must be effective but it must also be accountable. This report proves that this is not, currently, the case.” Hamilton added that the government’s forthcoming investigation into NHS maternity care had to mark a turning point, particularly for black women. “In-built structural racism in maternity services repeatedly fails black women. Acknowledging this and addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes must be one of the investigation’s core aims.”

One of the committee’s strongest criticisms was aimed at the absence of mandatory cultural competency training for NHS maternity staff. Given the persistent disparities, MPs said it was “indefensible” that such training had not yet been introduced across the board. They urged the government, the Royal College of Midwives, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council to implement compulsory training that directly incorporates the lived experiences of black women. Without such reforms, the committee warned, inequalities in maternity outcomes would remain entrenched.

Equally concerning was the state of data collection within the NHS. The report found that many hospital trusts are still failing to consistently record ethnicity-related information, leaving the system effectively “blind to its failings.” This lack of robust data prevents health leaders from identifying patterns, implementing targeted interventions, or holding institutions to account. The committee called on the government to accelerate its work on a maternal morbidity indicator, which has already been promised but has not yet been delivered.

The committee’s report echoed the findings of Five X More, an advocacy group that has long campaigned for better maternity care for black women. Their research found that nearly half of pregnant black women felt compelled to raise concerns during labour, and about half said their concerns were either dismissed or inadequately addressed by healthcare professionals.

Tinuke Awe, co-founder of Five X More, welcomed the parliamentary report but stressed the urgency of immediate action. “For too long, black women have been ignored in maternity care, and the recommendations in this report highlight that change is overdue. We believe now is the time to act. Fix it for black women, fix it for all women.”

Clare Livingstone, head of policy and practice at the Royal College of Midwives, described the disparities as a national disgrace. “The fact that black women are at greater risk during pregnancy and childbirth is indefensible. The recommendations in this report must be acted upon urgently, and everyone working in maternity services must commit to ending these shocking inequalities. It should not be the case that these disparities exist in England today.”

The Department of Health and Social Care responded by stressing its commitment to tackling racial inequalities in maternity services. A spokesperson said: “Racism in any form is completely unacceptable and we are determined to reduce the shocking disparities that this report addresses. We’re already taking action to improve maternity care, including launching an anti-discrimination programme, training thousands more midwives, and introducing new standards to tackle leading causes of maternal mortality.”

Despite these pledges, health campaigners argue that progress has been slow and piecemeal. Many point out that racial health inequalities in maternal care have been documented for years, with successive governments failing to close the gap. Critics warn that without binding reforms and meaningful accountability, black women will continue to face heightened risks during pregnancy and childbirth.

The committee’s report also raises broader questions about institutional racism across the NHS and whether systemic failures in maternity care are symptomatic of a wider pattern. The call for cultural competency training reflects a growing recognition that healthcare outcomes cannot be separated from issues of bias, prejudice, and the need for greater diversity in leadership and practice. Advocates argue that acknowledging the existence of systemic racism is only the first step; what is needed now is structural reform backed by resources, training, and accountability measures.

The lived reality for many black women is one of anxiety and mistrust during a period that should be defined by care and safety. Reports of their pain being minimised, their concerns being ignored, or their experiences being dismissed point to deeper cultural issues within the healthcare system. These experiences are not only traumatic for women but also contribute to poorer medical outcomes for both mothers and babies.

As the government prepares to launch its inquiry into maternity services, campaigners and health professionals alike are urging ministers to place racial inequality at the centre of their review. For Paulette Hamilton and the committee she leads, the evidence is already clear: unless the NHS is reformed to reflect accountability, cultural awareness, and robust data-driven oversight, black women in England will continue to suffer disproportionately.

The urgency of these reforms cannot be overstated. Behind every statistic lies a story of a woman and her family, facing heightened risk in a healthcare system that was meant to protect them. The committee’s findings serve as both a condemnation of past failings and a call to action for the future – one that demands political will, systemic change, and a recognition that racial justice must be integral to maternal healthcare.