Placenta accreta warning sparks urgent NHS reform calls

Published: 24 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Concerns over placenta accreta have moved to the centre of Britain’s maternity safety debate this week. Senior politicians and medical leaders are now facing renewed pressure to improve how placenta accreta is detected across the NHS. The call follows a powerful campaign by families who say warning signs were missed repeatedly. At the heart of the debate stands former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, who has demanded urgent reform.

Placenta accreta is a rare but life-threatening childbirth complication that can cause catastrophic bleeding within minutes. It occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the wall of the womb. In severe cases, it can invade surrounding organs, including the bladder. Without careful planning and specialist care, the consequences can be devastating for mothers and families.

Hunt has written formally to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, widely known as the RCOG. He urged the body to reflect carefully on concerns raised by affected families. His intervention comes as the college prepares to revise its clinical guidance for the first time since 2018. That review is expected to shape how doctors manage placenta accreta for years.

The renewed scrutiny follows the experience of Amisha Adhia, whose case has galvanised campaigners. She was assessed across multiple London NHS trusts during her pregnancy. Despite repeated scans, she was reassured that the risk of placenta accreta was almost nonexistent. Doctors reportedly based that view on the position of her placenta, which was not low-lying.

Eventually, one obstetrician identified signs that others had missed. That recognition allowed a specialist team to prepare carefully for delivery. Ms Adhia gave birth to her daughter, Ishaani, last September without major complications. However, she has described her case as a near miss that could have ended tragically.

Her experience prompted the creation of the Action for Accreta campaign, founded by Ms Adhia and her husband. The campaign calls for better national data collection and clearer clinical pathways. It also seeks improved training so that warning signs are not overlooked. Families involved argue that placenta accreta is still too often misunderstood or underestimated.

Hunt, now chair of Westminster’s all-party parliamentary group on patient safety, has backed those demands. In his letter to RCOG president Dr Alison Wright, he stressed the importance of transparency. He asked the college to consider emerging data alongside testimony from dozens of women. Many have come forward describing similar experiences of missed or delayed diagnosis.

The former chancellor warned that reassurance based solely on placental position may be insufficient. He emphasised that evolving evidence should inform updated clinical guidance. Placenta accreta, he noted, can escalate rapidly during delivery if not anticipated. Preparation with specialist surgical and anaesthetic teams dramatically improves outcomes.

The RCOG has acknowledged the seriousness of the condition and confirmed that new guidance will be published this summer. In a public statement, the college described placenta accreta as potentially life-threatening. Early identification through ultrasound scans and follow-up imaging is considered essential. Careful planning allows multidisciplinary teams to reduce bleeding risks and trauma.

Political support for reform has crossed party lines. Former Labour health minister Philip Hunt has expressed deep concern about diagnostic gaps. He questioned whether the NHS holds a clear national picture of how many women are affected annually. Without consistent reporting, he argued, it is difficult to measure progress or accountability.

Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan has also urged systemic change. She warned that repeated reviews have not always delivered meaningful improvements. According to Morgan, women and clinicians alike feel trapped in a cycle of preventable errors. She believes better training could transform how placenta accreta is recognised early.

Medical experts note that the condition is becoming more common globally. Rising caesarean section rates are considered one contributing factor. Scar tissue from previous surgery can increase the likelihood of abnormal placental attachment. This makes accurate antenatal screening increasingly important in modern maternity care.

Campaigners argue that inconsistent awareness across trusts creates a postcode lottery. Some hospitals have specialist placenta accreta centres with experienced teams. Others may encounter cases only rarely, reducing familiarity with subtle signs. That uneven exposure can affect clinical judgement and risk assessment.

Families say communication is another area requiring urgent improvement. Several women report being told their risk was negligible despite previous caesarean births. They believe that risk discussions should be clearer and more balanced. Informed consent, they argue, depends on understanding even unlikely complications.

Clinicians working on busy maternity wards face immense pressures. Staffing shortages and rising birth rates strain already stretched services. Yet safety advocates insist that rare conditions cannot be sidelined. Placenta accreta may be uncommon, but its impact can be catastrophic when missed.

Data transparency remains central to the campaign’s goals. Currently, there is no comprehensive, publicly available registry tracking all confirmed cases. Without systematic reporting, policymakers struggle to identify patterns or regional disparities. Improved surveillance could highlight where training and resources are most urgently needed.

Experts stress that early detection dramatically changes outcomes. Planned delivery in a specialist centre can reduce blood loss significantly. Surgeons may prepare for complex procedures, including hysterectomy, if necessary. Blood products and critical care teams can be on standby before labour begins.

The emotional toll on families is profound when diagnosis is delayed. Survivors often describe trauma extending far beyond the delivery room. Partners and relatives witness frightening emergencies that unfold within minutes. Psychological support is therefore another dimension requiring attention.

The debate has also reignited broader questions about maternity safety across England. Recent years have seen several high-profile reviews into failings at different trusts. Each inquiry has highlighted themes of communication breakdown and missed warning signs. Campaigners fear placenta accreta represents another example of lessons not fully learned.

Nevertheless, some clinicians caution against oversimplifying complex medical realities. Diagnosis can be challenging, particularly when imaging findings are subtle. Not every case fits textbook descriptions. They argue that updated guidelines must balance vigilance with clinical nuance.

The upcoming RCOG revision is therefore highly anticipated. Stakeholders hope it will incorporate fresh research and frontline insight. Clearer risk stratification tools may help doctors assess women more consistently. Training modules could reinforce awareness during routine antenatal care.

For Ms Adhia, the campaign is deeply personal but firmly forward-looking. She insists her story is not unique, citing messages from other families nationwide. Each account reinforces her belief that systemic change is overdue. She hopes her daughter’s birth will mark the beginning of safer care for others.

Jeremy Hunt’s intervention has amplified those voices within Westminster. By engaging directly with professional regulators, he has elevated the issue nationally. Whether that pressure translates into measurable reform remains to be seen. Yet the conversation around placenta accreta has undeniably gained new urgency.

As summer approaches, attention will turn to the RCOG’s final guidance. Families, clinicians and politicians will examine its recommendations closely. Many believe this moment offers an opportunity to rebuild trust. For mothers facing childbirth, confidence in preparation can mean everything.

Placenta accreta may remain rare, but its consequences demand vigilance. With coordinated effort, early detection can become the norm rather than chance. The coming months will reveal whether renewed scrutiny leads to lasting change across the NHS.

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