UK maternal deaths rise as birth rates fall

Maternal deaths rose from 209 to 254 between 2015–17 and 2021–23, despite fewer births, new data from the House of Commons library has revealed.

The death rate increased from 9.16 to 12.67 per 100,000 births over the same period. A maternal death is defined as one occurring during pregnancy or within 42 days of the pregnancy ending.

The figures follow health secretary Wes Streeting’s warning about “the normalisation of deaths of women and babies” in NHS maternity care.

Jess Brown-Fuller, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, who commissioned the research, said: “It is appalling that maternity deaths are rising even after the years of concern over the state of services that has led to so many scandals with deadly consequences.

“Families are being torn apart and unimaginable pain is being caused after years of shocking neglect so that now, even with the number of births declining, the number of deaths are rising.”

While the 2021–23 figures are slightly lower than the 275 deaths and 13.56 deaths per 100,000 maternities reported in 2020–22, both sets were the highest in the eight-year period examined.

The Commons library compiled its data using reports from MBRRACE-UK, the official audit of maternity care quality, led by Oxford University’s National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit in collaboration with senior clinicians and the Royal College of Nursing. Each report covers a rolling three-year period.

Last month, Streeting announced an England-wide “rapid national investigation” into what he described as a “crisis” in maternity and neonatal services.

He said the review would “provide truth and accountability for impacted families and drive urgent improvements to care and safety, addressing systemic problems dating back over 15 years”.

The investigation will focus on up to 10 areas of concern, including Leeds—where a scandal is unfolding—and Sussex. It will be carried out with the involvement of affected families.

Streeting is also chairing a newly established taskforce to ensure progress is made on what he called “the biggest patient safety challenge facing our country”.

MBRRACE-UK data shows women aged 35 or over are three times more likely to die than those aged 20–24. Black women face more than double the risk of white women during pregnancy or shortly after.

In recent years, official inquiries have examined failings at Morecambe Bay, East Kent, and Shrewsbury and Telford NHS trusts. Another inquiry is ongoing in Nottingham. National strategies to reform maternity care were published in both 2016 and 2023.

“We cannot allow a situation to persist where people are needlessly dying and their loved ones are left to pick up the pieces,” Brown-Fuller added.

She accused the Conservatives of allowing services to “decay” and urged Streeting to act swiftly on past recommendations.

The library’s research also found that progress has reversed in 11 of the 31 priority areas in NHS England’s 2023 three-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services.

These include staff listening to women’s concerns during labour, providing compassionate care, and giving clear explanations after birth.

The Department of Health and Social Care did not comment on the rising deaths but pointed to Streeting’s investigation and commitment to improving safety and quality in maternity care.